Week 1 (Day 0-7): "Get operational"
Get phone, housing, essentials, transport, bank, and life admin in place.
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Get phone, housing, essentials, transport, bank, and life admin in place.
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Sign Up FreeBuy essentials for sleep + hygiene + food (avoid "first-week chaos spending")
You need to sleep, eat, and stay clean. Head to Walmart or Target for a Bed in a Bag set, everything you need for under $50. For food, skip Whole Foods and go straight to ALDI or Trader Joe's where you'll save 20-40%. Download the Flipp app to find weekly deals before you shop.
Sign up to unlockLearn transportation (transit card / routes / rideshare safety)
You're in a new city and need to get around. Download Transit or Citymapper for real-time bus and train info. Get a digital transit card (OMNY in NYC, Clipper in SF). For rideshares, always verify the license plate and ask 'Who are you here for?' instead of confirming your name.
Sign up to unlockOpen an U.S. bank account
You can't function without a U.S. bank account. Visit Chase or Bank of America with your Passport, I-20/DS-2019, and proof of address (lease or utility bill). You don't need an SSN yet. Ask for a Student Account if you're under 25, it's free and saves you monthly fees.
Sign up to unlockCreate your "Life Admin Folder" (digital + physical):
Your documents are your lifeline in America. Buy a fireproof folder for your Passport, Visa, lease, and I-94. Scan everything to Google Drive with 2FA enabled. Download your I-94 from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home immediately—you'll need this number for almost everything.
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