How to pack for a semester in the US

When travelling from Norway to the US, most flight companies allow you to bring two bags, each carrying 23kilos(50lbs) plus 8kg(17,5lbs) handluggage each. This might seem much, but one semester is a long time, and might require different gear and clothing. Instead of overpacking, which gives you a lot to drag on and costs a lot extra, try to think what you really need and what can be bought there.
Rolling suitcases might be best, as fully packed suitcases might be heavy to carry. A baggage-strap might be useful if your bags and suitcases are so full that they can burst open when handled by workers at the airport (personally, I can reccomend and ordered this one from the internet).
Folded jeans, shirts and sweaters can be placed together with heavy objects in the bottom of the suitcase. Light and small clothing can be placed on top, like socks and underwear. Consider which clothes and objects are the heaviest. Light clothing like a bading suit will not take too much space and weight, but objects like hairdryers and straighteners, are not that smart to bring as they can be bought cheaply in the US and be left there. Converters might be useful for the electrical things that you bring with you, but are not needed if you buy your electrical products in the US.
The things most valuable to you and the things that you will use during your travel should be kept in the hand luggage. Books, MP3-players and computers can be good to bring on the long flights. A little pillow can also be useful and make your trip feel shorter, as you will be fast asleep. Anyway, here is what my suitcases looked like:
[photo]

First step on American soil since 2002

Today, I had my first visit to the American Embassy in Oslo, which is American soil, with American rules and American security. This I could see straigtaway when I entered the building. There were guards and metal detectors that had to be passed, and papers that had to be shown before I could enter.





The American embassy ion Norway is located in Henrik Ibsens gate 48 in Oslo, which is a 10 minute walk from the National Theater along Henrik Ibsens gate in the direction of the Palace. The easiest way is to catch the train from Oslo Central Station to Asker, get out at the National Theater, which is the first stop and just follow the street with all the white Henrik Ibsen quotations until you see the big building on the left side with American flags.


The meetings took less than 10 minutes and went well. I had to wait in line for about half and hour, and when they called out my number, I just went up to the reception and talked to them. They were very straigt to the case, and did not mention anything about my delay (which was about 3 hours).


When you are at the American Embassy there are certain things you should consider to make it go as smoothly as possible:

1. Have everything ready, like the papers you need to bring (The I-901 Form, I-20 form, DS-156 Form, DS 157 form, DS-158 Form and a paper showing that you will get financial support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund ), stamps (110NOK to cover the expenses of sending you passport back to you after you got the visa), passport, the Non-Refundable Application Fee (800 NOK or 131 USD cash in exact exchange)  and a picture less than six months old (has to be a standard photo where you have a direct eye gaze, your ears visible unless long hear covers them and no smile).
2. Do not have any wounds on your hands or fingers, because everyone have to make a fingerscan, and if your wounds are not completely healed you will have to come back again some other time. When enterring, the guards wipe your hands with a cloth and scan this for radiactive activity, gunpower residue and other suspicious materials, so try to keep your hands clean when enterring.
3. Remember that the consular officers who are working there are under considerable time pressure to conduct a quick and efficient interview. Keep you answers short and to the point.
4. Have a positive attitude (some of the consular officers might seem strict at first, but by showing that you are willing to cooperate, they soften a bit)
5. Do not say, under any circumstances that you want to work in the US after you have finished your studies in the US.Your main purpose for getting a visa is your studies. You may work besides your studies, but keep in mind that this is not why you came there. 
6. Do not mention the word "terrorism", under any circumstances. Just doing what you have to do, and saying the most neccessary you will be out of the embassy before you know it. Making jokes to the Consular Officer or the guards may make you have to go to jail and ban you from entering the US ever again.

If there is something that the Consular Officer is not satisfied with (that you have filled out the forms wrong, or if you have wounds or small rifts on your fingers) you might have to arrange a new meeing and pay the Non- Refundable Application Fee again, so this is why you need to take this meeting seriosly and be prepared on beforehand.

Plane tickets to Milwaukee

After some hours searching for plane tickets at Finn, Kelkoo and Skyscanner I have found out how to find the cheapest tickets from Oslo to Milwaukee. I have tried these tips on other flights as well (such as NYC, Amsterdam and Bankok) and they really worked for me:

1. Choose the right day to fly: Generally, the cheapest day of the week is Wednesday. The second best days to fly on are Tuesdays and Saturdays. This is probably becuase people travel less on these days.
2. The first flights in the morning are often the cheapest ones: This will make you arrive in Milwaukee earlier, but it might be pretty uncomfortable if the departure is at 4.00 or 5.00 in the morning.
3. Dont buy the tickets from a Norwegian page: I saved more than a thousand NOK by buying my ticket from US Airways directly, paying in US Dollars (5,60NOK)
4. Roundtrips are often more cheap than a one way ticket: a single ticket bought now would cost more than ten thousand NOK, but a roundtrip costs about 6 000NOK. I do not know how the flight companies will earn on this, but it is in my favour so I will not complain.
5. Book in time: Some might say that if you just wait a littlebit, the flights will be cheaper. I have done a little fare-compare and found out that this is not the truth. Try booking as early as possible, maybe even the day that you get the International Travel Guide from Cardinal Stritch.

Paperwork

The list of forms and papers that have to be filled out to get an American student visa is long, so its imporant to start early (as soon as you get the confirmation papers from the university). Here is a step by step guide of which papers to start with:
1. Application for financial support by the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund 
2. The I-901 Form on the internet, has to be done before you pay the SEVIS fee (200$)
3. To make an appointment with the US embassy in Oslo, you need to fill out the DS-156 Form online
4. The DS-158 Form can be downloaded as a PDF-file and printed out (must be brought to the meeting at the embassy)
5. Recomended: Membership form and insurance form at ANSA (Association of Norwegian Students Abroad)