Last Updated on 2023-06-25
Documents / Money
⭐Essential Items
- Valid passport with U.S. visa
- U.S. immigration documents (such as I-20/DS-2019)
- Letter of Admission from the educational institution
- Proof of financial resources (if required)
- Taiwan driver’s license or international driver’s license (for short-term driving in the U.S. or for exchanging for a U.S. driver’s license without a test, refer to the Driver’s License section for details)
- Sufficient cash for initial living expenses
- Several small denomination bills ($1, $5) as some places may not provide change, such as buses
- Have some cash in denominations below $20, as some stores may refuse to accept larger bills
- Declaration of any amount over $10,000 upon entry to the U.S. at customs
- Vaccination records, medical history of significant illnesses, and medical examination records (if required)
- Academic transcripts and diplomas (original or official copies)
- Credit card (either your own primary card or an additional card linked to your parent’s account) for emergencies and situations where credit cards are required (e.g., certain airlines only accept credit cards for additional baggage fees). If you have held a Taiwan-issued American Express credit card as the primary cardholder for at least one year, you can apply to convert it to a U.S. version credit card (refer to the Best Credit Cards for No Credit History section for details)
American Express Travelers Checkes
American Express Travelers Checkes have been discontinued since July 2020.
✅Recommended Items
- Taiwan Compatriot Permit: Obtaining a Taiwan Compatriot Permit requires submitting your passport and identification card to a designated travel agency in Taiwan, which can be inconvenient to do while abroad.
- Costco Membership Card: Both primary and supplementary Costco membership cards from Taiwan can be used for purchases at Costco stores in the U.S., but they cannot be used for online shopping or car rentals.
- Clean driving record: It may be helpful for future car insurance applications.
- National ID card (Taiwanese): Can be used as identification when passport is lost, but a Taiwan driver’s license can serve as an alternative.
❌Not Recommended Items
- National Health Insurance (NHI) card and Taiwan ID card: While they can serve as identification in case of a lost passport, a Taiwan driver’s license can be used as an alternative form of identification.
Luggage
It is recommended to use luggage with TSA-approved locks. As checked baggage may undergo inspection, TSA officers have the authority to open luggage with TSA-approved locks using a special key or to break open or damage the luggage if necessary for inspection purposes.
- Valuables are not recommended to be placed in checked baggage, as incidents of lost or tampered luggage are not uncommon.
- If you have fragile items, take extra care when packing by adding an extra layer of clothing or padding to prevent damage from vibrations.
Food
There are Chinese supermarkets available throughout the United States where many Taiwanese food items can be found, although prices may be 1.5 to 3 times higher than in Taiwan.
For a list of prohibited food items, you can refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. Some common prohibited items include:
- Fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, plants, and soil
- Various types of meat, dairy, eggs, and poultry (fresh, refrigerated, canned, and even egg yolks in mooncakes) Some common allowed food items include:
Common allowed food items include:
- Candies and cookies
- Vegetarian seasonings and jams
- Pineapple cakes (without egg yolks)
- Seafood products
- Meatless instant noodles
- Tea leaves/tea bags
Medication/Medical Products
According to FDA regulations, foreigners are allowed to bring a 90-day supply of personal medication, but it is important to ensure that the ingredients comply with U.S. regulations. If it is a prescription medication, it is best to carry the prescription with you. Non-prescription items such as band-aids, contact lens solutions, and cold medicine can be easily found at local drugstores near the school (similar to Watsons) if you don’t have specific brand preferences.
✅Recommended Items
- Personal medications
- Glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses: Prescription is required for glasses and contact lenses in the U.S., so it’s recommended to bring extra from Taiwan.
- Menstrual regulation medication: Menstrual regulation medication in the U.S. requires a prescription, and it may take 3 to 4 weeks to see a gynecologist for a prescription.
- Specific brand female products
- Specific brand cosmetics, skincare products, and face masks
- Over-the-counter stomach remedies for emergencies
- Eye drops
- Salonpas patches
- Kobayashi fever patches
Long-term medication needs
Bringing medication for more than 90 days may pose some risks upon entry. Medications exceeding 90 days can be shipped through mail or courier services. Additionally, most prescription drugs used in Taiwan can be obtained in the U.S. after consulting with a healthcare provider.
Clothing
The winter temperature in Pittsburgh is around -5 to 5°C, occasionally dropping below -15°C during cold snaps. Indoor heating is typically set between 22 to 27°C. If luggage space is limited, it is sufficient to bring summer clothes with a light jacket. You can purchase autumn and winter clothing in the U.S. or pack them separately and have them shipped from Taiwan once you have settled in. Additionally, there is a risk of clothes shrinking in Taiwan.
Pennsylvania offers tax-free shopping for clothing and shoes. American brands like American Eagle are generally cheaper than in Taiwan, while non-American brands like Uniqlo are similar in price. Although prices may not match those in Taiwanese street markets or night markets, the U.S. frequently offers promotional sales, especially during the August period for seasonal discounts, making prices quite attractive. For example, a T-shirt can cost less than $10. However, there may be differences in style and cut that may require some adjustment. Regarding shoes, European and American brands are generally cheaper than in Taiwan.
For those who are more sensitive to cold, typical winter clothing in Taiwan may not be sufficient, unless it is intended for hiking or snowy conditions. As indoor areas are heated, clothing like turtlenecks commonly worn in Taiwan may not be suitable. It is essential to have a good winter coat/parka/down jacket (preferably water-resistant) along with a scarf, gloves, and a hat. If you are sensitive to cold, consider choosing a longer coat (covering the thighs or knees). Affordable options can be found for around $100, and it is not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars on a coat.
Special snow boots are not necessary in Pittsburgh. Shoes that are suitable for rainy days in northern Taiwan should be sufficient and not slip or feel cold. However, pure fabric shoes may be more breathable but also more prone to getting wet, making them less suitable for winter wear.
Cables/Electronics/Lifestyle Items
Taiwan and the U.S. have compatible electrical voltages and plug types, with most wall outlets in the U.S. being three-pronged. If you arrive relatively early (before mid-July), there are usually many second-hand furniture options available, such as kitchenware.
✅Recommended Items
- Cables: Computer power cords, Ethernet cables, telephone cables, cable connectors, etc., are significantly more expensive in the U.S., around 5 to 10 times the price in Taiwan.
- Extension cords: Carry an extension cord with individual switches. For safety reasons, extension cords sold in the U.S. must have a master switch.
- Desk lamps: There is less variety in desk lamps in the U.S. compared to Taiwan.
- Laundry bags: Laundry bags sold in the U.S. are typically rougher in texture and have larger holes.
- Hairbands: Convenient to carry due to their small size, but quality hairbands in the U.S. are generally more expensive.
- Pocket-sized tissues and pocket-sized tissue packs Sleeping bag: If temporary accommodation does not provide bedding, a sleeping bag can be used temporarily. (Alternatively, you can ask someone else to purchase it on your behalf.)
❌Not Recommended Items
- Rice cookers and electric kettles: While there is more variety in Taiwan, they are not difficult to find in the U.S., and there may be opportunities to purchase them second-hand.
- Washboard and laundry brushes: While they may be hard to find, most apartments in the U.S. have coin-operated washing machines and dryers.
- Cooking utensils, dishes, pots, pans, pillows, and bed sheets
Stationery/Books
- Stationery: The selection of stationery in the U.S. is limited, more expensive, and of lower quality. It’s recommended to bring extra stationery items from Taiwan, such as ballpoint pens, mechanical pencil refills, correction tape, notebooks, and L-shaped document folders.
- Textbooks: New textbooks are relatively cheaper in Taiwan compared to U.S. editions. People who are not comfortable with e-books may consider bringing their preferred textbooks.
- Unless it’s the latest edition, the price difference between Taiwan and the U.S. is usually not significant.
- However, note that there may be differences between Taiwanese and U.S. editions of books. For example, international student editions may have black-and-white illustrations instead of color.
- If books are too heavy, consider having them shipped from Taiwan.
Laptops/Mobile Phones/Electronic Products
Whether to purchase electronic products in the U.S. depends on personal needs. Here is an overview of the market situation:
- Laptops: Dell and MacBook laptops are generally cheaper in the U.S.
- Mobile Phones: The price difference for iPhones is not significant, but Google Pixel phones are much cheaper in the U.S. Taiwanese versions of phones may not support all U.S. telecommunications bands.
- Computer Mice: The selection of computer mice is relatively limited in the U.S. However, it is not difficult to find popular models from Microsoft and Logitech.
- Taiwanese SIM Card: Initially, when arriving in the U.S., you may still require SMS verification, but only Taiwanese SIM cards under a contract can receive SMS messages in the U.S. If you have switched to a prepaid SIM card, you will need to have your family in Taiwan receive the SMS messages on your behalf.
- U.S. SIM Card: Apart from purchasing dedicated data-only SIM cards, you can purchase U.S. SIM cards online from Taiwan that come with a U.S. phone number. These can be used immediately upon arrival, for banking purposes, and can be renewed for continued use. If you plan to switch to another telecom provider in the future, you can request the Account Number and PIN Number of your phone number from the current provider and provide them to the new provider for porting.
Streaming Services
Streaming services like YouTube and Netflix typically have region-based pricing, meaning that subscriptions in Taiwan may be cheaper than in the U.S. You can subscribe in Taiwan and form a family group with others.
Travel Insurance/Study Abroad Insurance
Most schools’ insurance coverage begins from August to September. If you arrive in the U.S. earlier, there may be a gap in medical insurance coverage. If you happen to experience health issues during this period, it may result in significant medical expenses. It is recommended to purchase short-term travel insurance or overseas study insurance (to be purchased before leaving the country) to cover this gap. Since healthcare costs in the U.S. are high, it’s important to choose insurance with higher medical coverage. For short-term study insurance in the U.S., refer to the International Student Health Insurance section.