Preparing for Your Arrival

Before you make travel arrangements to come to the United States, make sure you understand when you must arrive in order to maintain your immigration status. We also recommend you learn about the local climate to help you decide which clothing and personal items to bring with you.

When to Enter the United States

You must arrive in the United States no later than the official program start date indicated on your form I-20 or DS-2019. We strongly recommend you arrive at least several days before your report date to allow you time to settle into Denver and to attend the International Student Orientation. You may enter the United States up to 30 days prior to your official report date.

Baggage and Mail

The International House has limited space to store mail and packages for incoming international students. However, if absolutely necessary, you may have baggage and mail sent to the International House before your arrival. When shipping items to our office, we recommend using a reliable carrier service such as FedEx, UPS or DHL that will ensure proper customs clearance and delivery. We also recommend purchasing insurance protection for your shipment, in case it is lost or damaged during travel.

Please note the following:

- Arrange for your items to be delivered no earlier than two weeks before your arrival though a delivery date after your expected arrival date is preferred.

- Inform our office by email isss@du.edu when the package is shipped and give us the approximate date it will be delivered to the International House. This will also provide us with your contact email so that we can inform you that the package has arrived.

- We cannot provide a locked storage location in our building for packages. While we will make every effort to ensure that your package is not disturbed, we cannot guarantee its security and cannot assume responsibility for any lost or stolen items.

Address items to:

[Your full name]

c/o International Student and Scholar Services University of Denver

2200 Josephine St.

Denver, CO 80208

Climate

The climate in Denver is generally dry and sunny, although it is subject to variation through the year. Temperatures range from -23° to 15° C during the winter, and from 4° to 35° C during the spring, summer, and fall. Snowfall is frequent in winter but usually does not last very long on the ground. During most of the year, afternoons are warm and sunny, and mornings and evenings are cool and mild.

Clothing

Most students dress informally on campus. Jeans, shorts, and sportswear are common choices of attire and are acceptable in most classroom settings. When deciding what clothing to bring with you, consider both the climate in Denver and the situations for which you will need to dress. In addition to casual wear, you may wish to bring one or two formal outfits, such as a suit or an evening dress, as well as national or culture dress you would like to wear for official functions.

For more information, visit the City of Denver's Weather and Climate information page.

What to Pack

We recommend bringing the following items with you when traveling to the United States:

National clothing, crafts, and artifacts
Seasonal clothing including trousers, shirts, shorts, jacket, and sweaters
Language dictionary
Basic bedding - light blanket and sheets
Personal items, such as family photos and keepsakes
Medical prescriptions (in English, if possible), medication, spare eyeglasses
International driver's license (if you have one and plan on driving in the U.S.)