What to Pack.
Please do not pack to much clothes, clothes in America are very cheap, you will buy al lot while there (especially label clothes) the weather is also different (Summer very hot, Winter very cold).
A big sports bag with wheels at the 1 side works a lot easier than suitcases, but you must be able to lock the bag. Check the Luggage allowance (1 or 2 bags?) you will receive from the Travel Agent on your flight plan just before going to the Consulate.
Check In Luggage List
- 2X Pairs Shorts
- 2x Pairs Jeans (1x for working & 1x for going out)
- 8x Shirts (Combination of normal button shirts and T-shirts, 1x for going out)
- 1x Tracksuit pants
- 2x Sweatshirts or Jerseys
- 1x Waterproof Jacket
- 8x Pairs of Socks and Underwear
- 2x Overalls (2 piece – you can wear the pants with a t-shirt for work)
- 1x Hat
- 1x Pair Working Shoes
- 1x Pair Tekkies
- 1x Pair Sandals (very hot in summer)
- Toiletries for 1stmonth: Razor, Shaving Foam, Roll-on, Shower-Gel, Sjampoo, Aftershave & Deodorant, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Sunblock.
- 1 or 2 Towels
- Traveler’s Multi Country Plug/adopter (They use different voltage electricity, our plugs do not fit)
- A very small emergency bag – With Pain Killers (Disprins), Cold & Flu medication, Diarrhea Pills (like Lomotil), Eye drops, Plasters. (just a small box or container of each)
- If you have prescription medicine you will have to take with enough for the whole period – you will need a letter from your doctor in English stating the name of the medicine, the amount as well as why you are using it.
Hand Luggage: 5kg-7kg
The luggage you can take with on the plane:
- Your Flight ticket & Passport
- Your wallet with your money
- Something to read (Magazines and books)
- Other valuables: Like MP3 Player, I-POD, Cameras, Laptop, Cellphone
- A few CD’s of your favourite music, originals
NO LIQUIDS ARE ALLOWED IN YOUR HAND LUGGAGE – not even water, medicine or deodorant OR SHARP OBJECTS like nail clippers, knives or anything like that.
Your Cellphone
You can take your contract phone with the USA in order to send your family text messages. Remember to contact your service provider before leaving for the USA to activate international roaming on the day of departure. You will have to block calls as it is too expensive – both parties must pay. You must deactivate international roaming again on your return to South Africa. You will only be able to use your cellphone in some of the bigger cities and on the airports. Remember to take with your charger.
