The Unofficial International Students’ & Parents’ Guide to Purdue

This is the Unofficial Guide to Purdue.. for all new International Students & Families!

Congratulations! You are now a Purdue freshman student.. What Next? My son became a First Year Engineering (FYE) Boilermaker in Fall 2023, and I wish we had someone giving us in-depth advice on the many questions and doubts we had as we planned his move to Purdue.

Well, now you have got the Unofficial Guide to Purdue! My name is Bhavin Shah and let me handhold you and your parents on their journey. Follow my posts step-by-step below!

Purdue Arch welcomes all new international freshmen students to Purdue Unofficial Guide users
South Gateway Arch (Dave Weigel)

The Unofficial Guide to Purdue– Pre Arrival

What you, as an International Freshman, and your Parents need to do before you arrive at Purdue.

First Steps after Admission

Get off to a Great Start!

1. Finalise your Admission to Purdue
2. Complete Pre-Orientation
3. Apply for First Year Housing
4. Choose Your Meal Plan
5. Join a Learning Community
6. Plan your 1st Semester Courses
7. Applying for a US F-1 Visa

Planning Your Travel

Getting prepared for the Big Move!

  1. Plan Your Itinerary
  2. Book Your Travel
  3. Purdue & City Orientation (Video)
  4. Book Your Hotel
  5. Buy Your Insurance
  6. Climate & Winter Clothing
  7. US Sim cards, Phones & Computers
  8. Things to Pack & Buy!

Final Steps to Purdue

Connect to Your Roomie, Dorm & Purdue

  1. Get Your Housing Assignment
  2. Connect with Your Roomie
  3. Decide on Lofting Your Bed
  4. Pay your Purdue Fees
  5. Must Have Apps
  6. Final Pre-Arrival Steps
  7. A Heartfelt Message to Your Teen!

Countdown to Move-in

FALL SEMESTER HAS BEGUN!

The Unofficial Guide to Purdue– Post Arrival

From Landing into the US to Saying Goodbyes after BGR/BGRi – What an International Student and their family needs to know.

Arrive & Assimilate

  1. Travel to US & Purdue
  2. Purdue Campus Walking Tour (Video)
  3. Tipping in the USA
  4. To-do List on Arrival
  5. Getting Around
  6. Eating Out & Restaurants
  7. Shopping & Malls
  8. Bank Accounts & Budgeting

Explore & Embed

  1. Move-in to your Residence Hall
  2. BGR and BGRi
  3. The School Spirit, Social Scene & Fitting In
  4. Explore Dining Courts & On-campus Food
  5. Applying for a REAL (State) ID
  6. Prepare for 2nd year Housing
  7. Getting A Bike?

Love & Let Go!

  1. Indian Food & Culture at Purdue
  2. Groceries & International Food
  3. Wave Goodbyes!
  4. US Culture
  5. Culture Shock & Help
  6. Sad Kids & Helicopter Parenting
  7. Sending Cakes & Care Packages.

The Unofficial Guide to Purdue– Student Life

On Your Own! Succeeding at Purdue as an International Student in the First Year!

Your First Semester

  1. Academics, Textbooks, & Exams
  2. Employment, SSN & ITIN
  3. Get a Travel Signature
  4. Safety At Purdue
  5. What to Do if you Get Sick?
  6. What to Do if you have Dental Pain?
  7. Fraternity, Sorority & Cooperatives- Greek life
  8. Getting a Haircut
  9. Underground Tunnels at Purdue
  10. Things to do around Purdue
  11. Travelling while a F-1 Student

Unofficial Guide users Freshmen Students at Purdue forming new friends at BGR BGRi.
Freshmen finishing their first year at Purdue - success using the Unofficial Guide

Your Second Semester

  1. Change of Degree Objective (CODO)
  2. Choosing Your Major (T2M for Engineering)
  3. Driving in the USA – Licences & Lessons
  4. Maintaining Your F-1 Status.
  5. Filing Taxes – Form 8843 for No US Income
  6. Filing Taxes – With US Income
  7. Undergraduate Research
  8. Internships & CPT
  9. OPT & STEM OPT
  10. Renewing your F-1 Visa
  11. Move-out & Summer Storage

“The definitive guide to starting at Purdue. ”

Rahul Awasthi

Purdue Parent (Purdue Class of 27), India

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