{"id":10,"date":"2024-04-13T15:44:12","date_gmt":"2024-04-13T15:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lnshah.com\/Purdue\/?page_id=10"},"modified":"2025-09-11T12:36:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T09:36:00","slug":"the-unofficial-international-parents-guide-to-purdue","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lnshah.com\/purdue\/","title":{"rendered":"The Unofficial International Students’ & Parents’ Guide to Purdue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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This is the<\/strong> Unofficial Guide to Purdue.. for all new International Students & Families!<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations!<\/strong> You are now a Purdue freshman student.. What Next?<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Purdue
South Gateway Arch (Dave Weigel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

The Unofficial Guide to<\/strong> Purdue<\/strong>– Pre Arrival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What you, as an International Freshman, and your Parents need to do before you arrive at Purdue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

First Steps after Admission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Get off to a Great Start!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

\n

Planning Your Travel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Getting prepared for the Big Move!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

    Final Steps to Purdue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Connect to Your Roomie, Dorm & Purdue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

      Countdown to Move-in<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      FALL SEMESTER HAS BEGUN!<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
      \n

      The Unofficial Guide to<\/strong> Purdue<\/strong>– Post Arrival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      <\/div>\n\n\n\n

      From Landing into the US to Saying Goodbyes after BGR\/BGRi – What an International Student and their family needs to know.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      \n

      Arrive & Assimilate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. Travel to US & Purdue<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Purdue Campus Walking Tour<\/a> (Video)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Tipping in the USA<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. To-do List on Arrival<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Getting Around <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Eating Out & Restaurants<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      7. Shopping & Malls<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      8. Bank Accounts & Budgeting<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
        \n

        Explore & Embed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Move-in to your Residence Hall<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. BGR and BGRi<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. The School Spirit, Social Scene & Fitting In<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Explore Dining Courts & On-campus Food<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Applying for a REAL (State) ID<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        6. Prepare for 2nd year Housing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        7. Getting A Bike?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
          \n

          Love & Let Go!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Indian Food & Culture at Purdue<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Groceries & International Food<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Wave Goodbyes!<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. US Culture<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          5. Culture Shock & Help<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          6. Sad Kids & Helicopter Parenting<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          7. Sending Cakes & Care Packages.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
            \n
            \n
            \n

            The Unofficial Guide to<\/strong> Purdue<\/strong>– Student Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            On Your Own! Succeeding at Purdue as an International Student in the First Year!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

            <\/div>\n\n\n\n
            \n
            \n

            Your First Semester<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. Academics, Textbooks, & Exams<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Employment, SSN & ITIN<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. Get a Travel Signature<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            4. Safety At Purdue<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            5. What to Do if you Get Sick?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            6. What to Do if you have Dental Pain?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            7. Fraternity, Sorority & Cooperatives- Greek life<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            8. Getting a Haircut<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            9. Underground Tunnels at Purdue<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            10. Things to do around Purdue<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            11. Travelling while a F-1 Student<\/a>

              <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
              \n
              \"Unofficial<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
              <\/div>\n\n\n\n
              \n
              \n
              \"Freshmen<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
              \n

              Your Second Semester<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              1. Change of Degree Objective (CODO)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. Choosing Your Major (T2M for Engineering)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              3. Driving in the USA \u2013 Licences & Lessons<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              4. Maintaining Your F-1 Status.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              5. Filing Taxes \u2013 Form 8843 for No US Income<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              6. Filing Taxes \u2013 With US Income<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              7. Undergraduate Research <\/li>\n\n\n\n
              8. Internships & CPT <\/li>\n\n\n\n
              9. OPT & STEM OPT<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              10. Renewing your F-1 Visa<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              11. Move-out & Summer Storage<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                \n
                \n

                \u201cThe definitive guide to starting at Purdue. \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                <\/div>\n\n\n\n
                \n\n\n

                Rahul Awasthi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Purdue Parent (Purdue Class of 27), India<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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                \n\t\t\t\t\t\tSubscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"featured_image_src":null,"yoast_head":"\nThe Unofficial Guide to Purdue<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Ultimate Unofficial Guide for international parents and freshmen students of Purdue University! 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