Once your host lab has been confirmed, students will be asked to send an introductory email to their host professor.  The program will provide students with a template/sample email they can use to for initial contact with their host professor.  You will be able to ask your assigned host professor for more details on the planned project/topic you may be working on and if there are any articles/books or other resources they would recommend you read/review prior to departure.

For more information and a template email, participants should consult Canvas. 

Students are also strongly encouraged to read articles/books on their planned topic/research area in Japanese as well.  Since you may not yet be familiar with the English language scientific/research vocabulary studying your topic prior to departure in both English and Japanese can be helpful.  You can also ask your professors in Japan if there is a general/introductory textbook on this subject/area that they would recommend you purchase and bring with you to the U.S.  This way, you will have a helpful reference in Japanese that you can refer to while doing research at Rice University.

• Reading & Understanding Scientific Research Papers (Doing Research) 
• Fondren Library: How to Search for Articles Online (Life in the U.S.) 
• Science Magazine: A wide array of easily understandable articles on science & engineering research topics.  Search for your research topic/project name here first if you are not very familiar with it to get some helpful introductory level information.  
• Tutorials & Lessons on Topics in STEM (Doing Research) 

Many alumni have said that one helpful thing they did was to borrow or purchase an introductory textbook on their research field/area in Japanese and bring this with them to the U.S.  This will enable you to have an quickly accessible resource to use to look up key terms, theories, concepts, and research methods and will help you simultaneously learn both the Japanese and English terminology commonly used in your research area/field.  

Speak with one of your Japanese professors for their recommendations for good, introductory Japanese-language textbooks. Or, ask your Rice University professor or mentor for a recommendation of an English textbooks and see if it has been translated into Japanese.  

Nakatani RIES Fellows are visiting non-degree undergraduate students during their time at Rice.  Due to this status, they have free access or discounted prices for various software packages that are available to Rice students.  See the website below for the available software packages, prices, and links to download.   To access, you must enter your Rice University NetID and Password.  

• Software Available for Rice University Students 

Rice University will provide selected participants with detailed instructions on the documents they need to submit to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) to begin the visa application process.  Once your documents have been reviewed and approved by OISS, Rice University will issue and mail you the DS-2019 form you will need to use to apply for your J-1 visa and schedule your interview with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in Japan.  Students must individually pay for all related J-1 visa application and SEVIS fees.

For more information, see our U.S. Visa page or the following websites from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo: 

• Apply for a U.S. Visa: Step-by-Step Guide
• Non-Immigrant Visas (you will apply for a J-1 Non-Degree Student visa) 
• Interview Procedures at U.S. Embassy in Tokyo (video)
  • Checklist for Required Interview Documents (see all and Student or Exchange Visitor (J) sections) 

For selected participants, detailed, step-by-step information is included in the Assignments section of Canvas.  If you are not sure how to fill out your visa application forms, please consult the Canvas assignment for guidance. 

DO NOT FORGET TO PACK YOUR DS-2019 IN YOUR CARRY-ON LUGGAGE!

Upon arrival in the U.S., participants must show their passport and DS-2019 form to the immigration officer at their arrival airport.  This will ensure the immigration officer knows to look for your J-1 visa and process your entry into the U.S. under your visa.  More information on the process of clearing immigration and customs upon arrival in the U.S. will be sent to participants prior to departure.

After your visiting student enrollment has been processed by the Registrar's office you will receive an email from Rice University with information on your Net ID and Password.  You will need to visit the Office of Information Technology website to activate your Net ID and Password prior to your arrival at Rice University.  You will receive instructions on how to do this in Canvas.  

It is important you write down your Net ID and password and keep it in a safe place. You may need to use this Net ID and password to login to certain online services while you are at Rice. With your NetID and password you can also access some free resources for Rice University students.  Participants have full access to these resources as soon as they have activated their NetID and Password (see assignment in Canvas), and can begin using them even before their arrival at Rice.  These include: 

• Free Journal Articles: Free access to full PDFs of many peer-reviewed journal articles from Fondren Library.  You can search the library holdings for free, but to download a full PDF of an article you must login with your NetID and password. 
• Free Software: Free access or discounted prices on many software programs for students at Rice University.  To view the full list, click here. 
• Check Rice Email Account: All visiting students are set up with a Rice University email address. To look up your Rice University address, type your first and last name into the search bar in the upper right-hand corner on the main website and then look under the 'People' results in the right-hand menu bar. You will be listed as a visiting student.  While you are at Rice, you can check your email by logging in to the Webmail system using your NetID and password. 
  • Keep in mind that your Rice University email address will expire when the program ends.  Therefore, most visiting students simply use their Gmail/Yahoo/Other Personal address or their email address from their home university in Japan. 
  • We strongly recommend students set up mail forwarding in their Rice University email address so that any messages sent here are automatically forwarded to your personal or home university address.  This will help ensure you don't miss any helpful emails from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) and about events and activities that are sent out to students across campus.  
    • How to Set Up Mail Forwarding in Webmail 

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive 3 research credits from Rice University. All application, tuition, and enrollment fees are paid for by the program.  Participants will receive a letter grade (A – F) for this course and will be able to request a Rice University transcript showing their enrollment in the course and course grade. Participants who plan to apply to other programs or graduate schools in the U.S. are strongly encouraged to (and may be required) to submit a copy of their Rice University transcript with their application to any future U.S.-based program they apply to.

Requesting Transcripts: Alumni who would like to request a Rice University transcript, visit the Office of the Registrar website and follow the instructions under 'How To Request' to use the National Student Clearninghouse Transcript Ordering Center.

Primary Care Doctor: Schedule a general medical visit/annual exam to ensure that you are in good health overall. If you have any underlying medical conditions or health concerns, let your doctor know you will be doing research abroad in the U.S. for six weeks and ask them for any advice/suggestions relevant to your individual medical needs.

Prescription Medication (RX): Be sure you bring an adequate supply of any prescription medication (medication prescribed to you by a doctor) with you to the U.S. For a six-week program, this means you will need a 42 – 48 day supply if you take this medication daily. It is also helpful to ask your doctor to write down your prescription, in English if possible, and bring this document with you to the U.S.  The written document should contain the formulary (non-brand) name of the medication, the dosage, and any other instructions. This way, if you run out of your medication or lose it, you can show this document to a U.S. doctor so they can more easily understand what medication you need to take. Pack all prescription medication in your carry-on bag. Do not put in your checked luggage. 

Note: Your U.S. health insurance will not cover you for pre-existing conditions, so if this is medication you take every-day/regularly in Japan you must bring it with you to the U.S. If you run out or lose this prescription medication in the U.S., you will need to see a U.S. doctor to get a new prescription. The doctor's visit may be covered by insurance, but purchasing the medication may not be if they consider this a pre-existing condition.  When you pick up the medication at the pharmacy, you may need to pay the full cost and this can be very expensive depending on what type of medication it is. Come prepared with a full six-week supply of any prescription medication you need to take to avoid this possibility. 

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication: OTC medication that you do not a doctor's prescription for, typically for minor illnesses (e.g. cold/allergies or headache/body aches), can be easily and inexpensively purchased at any pharmacy/drug store, grocery store, or home-goods/department store like Target or Wal-Mart in the U.S.  See the section below on packing for recommendations of common OTC medication you may want to bring from Japan or plan to buy as needed in the U.S. 

General Immunizations: There are no specific immunizations required to enter the U.S.  It is recommended that all general/routine immunizations be up to date.

Meningococcal Vaccination: Texas state law requires that all entering university students (including visiting international students) be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis if you are under the age of 22 as of the first day of classes/your program. Students should consult the assignment in Canvas for more details on this requirement. 

• If you are 21 or younger as of the start date of this program you are required to show proof of vaccination for bacterial meningitis as part of the application/registration process with the Office of the Registrar. 
• If you are 22 or older as of the start date of the program this requirement does not apply. 

Dental care coverage IS NOT PROVIDED by the international health insurance in the U.S.!  Dental care is very, very expensive in the U.S. so students are strongly encouraged to visit their dentist prior to departure for an annual exam and to address any dental care needs before you leave Japan.

Eye care coverage (exams, glasses, contacts) IS NOT PROVIDED by the international health insurance in the U.S.! Eye care is very, very expensive in the U.S. so students are strongly encouraged to visit their eye doctor prior to departure for an annual exam, new glasses, and/or to purchase extra contacts to bring with you.

• We also STRONGLY RECOMMEND students bring a back-up pair of glasses and extra contacts with them to the U.S.  If your glasses/contacts are lost or damaged in the U.S. it can be very expensive to replace them.  Bring an extra, older pair of glasses with you to use just in case. 

If you have any food allergies, dietary restrictions, or serious medical issues we strongly encourage you to order Japanese-English food translation cards from Select Wisely.  These can be very helpful to show the doctor/nurse, waiter/waitress or clerk at the grocery store so they clearly understand what you cannot eat and can give you advice on what is best.  If you are having an allergic reaction you can show this card so that those around you know how best to help.  Carry this card in your wallet/pocket at all times so it is easily available. 

Mental/Behavioral Health Provider: If you regularly see a therapist or any other behavioral healthcare provider we strongly recommend you schedule an appointment with them approximately prior to departure.  Discuss your plans to do research abroad in the U.S. with them and ask them for any advice/suggestions relevant to your individual medical needs.

See the section on Resiliency and Mental Well-Being Abroad on our Medical Resources in the U.S. page. 

Meal Stipend: All Japanese Fellows will be provided with an $800 meal/daily living stipend to be used in the U.S. This will be disbursed in two payments of $400 each via check from Rice University.  The first check will be given to you on your first day at Rice and you will be taken to a bank where you can cash this check (turn it into U.S. dollars).  The second check will be given to you approximately mid-way through your program, likely the week of Sept. 4 – 7, and you will need to go to the same Chase bank with your passport to cash this check (turn it into U.S. dollars).  Depending on how often you cook on your own vs. eating out, this meal/living stipend may not fully cover all of your costs in the U.S. We strongly recommend students bring with or have available additional personal funds to use for expenses not covered by your stipend. See our Program Funding page for more information. 

Use of Cash/Debit/Credit Cards in the U.S. The U.S. is a card-based society and people tend to carry very little cash with them on a day-to-day basis.  Most people pay for purchases using a credit or debit card whether they are small or large. If you plan to use Uber/Lyft you will need a credit or debit card number to program into your profile in the app.  See the information on Ride Sharing Services in the Public Transportation section of our Life in the U.S. page. 

Cash is almost always accepted except when ordering items online or through an app (such as Uber or Lyft) or in some rare instances where a vendor/store only accepts debit/credit cards.  Most Americans don't use cash very often, and typically only carry a very small amount of cash with them on a day-to-day basis (<$20).  

Getting Cash from an ATM: You can find ATMs anywhere in the U.S. from grocery stores, gas stations, shopping malls, banks, airports, etc. Typically, you can use almost any ATM but you should be aware that all ATMs in the U.S. will charge a withdrawal fee of between $1 – $5 depending on the bank/company.  Withdrawal fees are usually cheapest at bank-owned ATMs and there are two Chase bank ATMs on the Rice University campus. One is in the Rice Memorial Center (RMC)/Student Center and one is in Fondren Library. Using bank-owned ATMs is also usually more secure/safe as they are less likely to be damaged or broken.  

• JP Bank/Credit Card Fees for Overseas Withdrawals: It is important that students confirm with their Japanese bank or credit card company that they can withdraw funds in U.S. dollars from their Japanese accounts while in the U.S. and what fees, if any, they will be charged by their Japanese bank/credit card company to do so. These fees will be in addition to any withdrawal fees charged by the U.S. ATM so you should factor these costs into your budget. 
• PINS: For many transactions, you may need to enter a 4-digit PIN number if you are using a debit card.  PIN numbers are not usually not required for credit cards in the U.S., but if your credit card in Japan requires a PIN you may need to enter it when purchasing items in the U.S. too.  It is best to ensure that PIN numbers do not start with a 0 as some overseas ATMs will not accept these PIN numbers. 
• Zip Code: There are some instances where you may be required to enter a zip code when using a credit or debit card in the U.S..  This is a security feature and is often required to use a credit or debit card to pay for gas at the pump when at a gas station in the U.S.  Since gas pumps in the U.S. are set-up to accept only a 5-digit U.S.-style zip code (e.g. 77005 for Rice's address) they will not accept the 7-digit Japanese postal code (e.g. 108-0073 for Minato-ku in Tokyo). You should not attempt to pay for gas with a Japanese credit card or debit card at the pump. Instead, look for the number of the gas pump you are at (typically at the top somewhere) and then go into the gas station and either pay the attendant in cash by saying "I'd like to put $30 on pump #X" or ask the attendant to run your credit/debit card through directly from the register "This is an international card, can you please run it through the register because I don't have a US zip code to enter to pay at the pump. I'm at pump #X.". 

Personal Funds: You will need to decide how much money you want to bring with you to the U.S. for costs not paid for by the program/personal expenses.  See our Program Funding page for more information. You can choose to:

• Bring all of the money you plan to use with you in cash.
  • You can exchange JPY for USD at the airport in Japan prior to departure or in the international arrival terminal of most U.S. airports. Be very careful with your cash though to ensure it is not lost or stolen.
• Bring $100-$200 with you in cash and then plan to withdraw additional funds in USD via an ATM while in the U.S. 
  • If you choose this option, call your bank in advance so you are 100% sure your ATM card will work in the U.S. and what fees you may be charged for withdrawing money in USD.
• Bring $100-$200 with you in cash and put the rest of your personal funds on a U.S. Pre-Paid Money/Credit Card. 
  • Some students may prefer to activate a Pre-Paid International Money card to use in the U.S.  Typically, these cards allow you to add money on your card in advance, add more money online if needed, and have a replacement card sent to you if lost or stolen. This is also a helpful way to budget, as you only add as much money as you plan to use in the U.S. on this card.  See next section below for options. 

Using a pre-paid money/credit card while in the U.S. can be a helpful way to budget for your personal spending.  Simply sign up for your preferred card, add money to it before you go, and then you can use like a regular credit/debit card in the U.S.  Some cards have options where you can transfer/add more money to your card online through a direct link to your Japanese bank account.  These cards also typically have lower or no transaction fees and may not charge ATM withdrawal fees.   If you lose your card or it is stolen you should be able to contact the company and ask them to cancel your existing card and send you a new card.  

• Cash Passport Card
  • Cash Passport Card ( Can Only Add a Single Currency)
  • Cash Passport Card (Can Add Multiple Currencies on One Card)
• Overview of Various Card Options (in JP)
  • Visa Travel Money Gonna
  • Neo Money
  • JTB Money T Global
  • Gaica

We strongly recommend students only bring 1 checked suitcase with them to the U.S. Though international flights typically allow 2, free checked pieces of luggage if you bring 2 full suitcases with you to the U.S. where will you pack your omiyage/souvenirs when you return to Japan?  Instead, just bring 1 checked suitcase when you come to the U.S. 

Pack an empty duffel bag in your suitcase, then, when you return to Japan, you can pack your clothing and non-fragile items in the duffel bag and have plenty of room for omiyage/souvenirs in your suitcase.  It is also important that students be aware of all airline weight/size limitations for checked and carry-on luggage. Carefully consult the website of the airline your international flight has been booked on to be sure your checked and carry-on luggage comply with their baggage policies.

Here is a list of some important items you may want to pack in your carry-on luggage.

Clothing: In general, you should plan to bring 2 weeks worth of clothing to the U.S. Casual attire will be most useful in the U.S. and be sure you have comfortable walking shoes.  For more, see our Clothing in the U.S. section on the Life in the U.S. resources page. 

Laundry: You will have access to coin-operated laundry at the hotel and can easily wash/dry clothes as needed. Bring a wardrobe that can be easily mixed and matched.

Air Conditioning:  Air conditioning is very, very cold in all buildings in the U.S. and on planes.  You should wear/bring a sweater/light jacket/scarf with you at all times as even if it is very hot outside it may be very, very cold indoors. Trust us on this. It will be much, much colder indoors than you are used to in Japan – all the time! You will want to bring a light-weight sweater or jacket to keep in your office/lab building to put on when working at Rice and may want to carry a light-weight sweater or jacket in your backpack to put on in grocery stores, shopping malls, movie theaters, anywhere indoors really.  Even though it is very hot and humid outdoors in August and September indoors can be freezing cold.  Many alumni even buy sweatshirts at the Rice University bookstore in their first week as a souvenir and to wear on a day-to-day basis indoors. Be prepared – and don't say we didn't warn you!  (Note that even in the lab Miki is wearing a long-sleeved sweater). 

Weather: Weather in August – September in Houston will be hot and humid on almost all days.  It can rain, sometimes very heavily, at any time in Houston so you should be prepared for wet weather too.  During the final week on the East Coast, the weather will (probably) be cooler than in Houston but still warm/sunny during the day.  You may need to wear a sweater or light-weight jacket at night.  However, early fall is very unpredictable in the U.S., it could still be very hot on the East Coast or it may be much cooler than normal.  It varies from year to year.  Be prepared for unpredictable weather, especially rain with: 

• Good rain umbrella.  Travel umbrellas are convenient, but may be too small to fully protect you in a heavy rain storm. A medium-sized to large golf-style umbrella can be better. Tip: You can buy a Rice University golf umbrella at the campus bookstore to use while in Houston and take home to Japan as a souvenir.  
• Light-weight rain coats can be helpful as they provide more protection for your clothes when walking across campus or to/from the hotel in a heavy rain storm. 
•  Many people at Rice keep a pair of rain boots under their desk to wear to walk across campus during or immediately after a heavy rain storm.  If you don't want to bring rain boots, keep an extra pair of shoes that are okay to get wet or that dry quickly to slip on if needed such as Crocs. 

Casual Attire: Attire in the U.S., particularly on university campuses, tends to be more casual than in Japan.  At Rice University you will see most student (and often faculty members too) dressed in jeans/pants/shorts and t-shirts/casual tops/sweaters on a day-to-day basis.  This is typical daily casual attire at universities in the U.S. though some professors do dress up a bit more and wear khaki pants/skirt and a button-up shirt/blouse.  Another common type of casual wear in the U.S., especially for women, is atheleisure.  This basically means wearing yoga pants with a loose-fitting/longer knit top or sweater or even a very tight fitting tank-top with cute sneakers.  So, just because you see people wearing gym/yoga attire in the U.S., don't assume they are on their way to/from working out – this may just be their outfit for the day! 

Business Casual Attire: For this program, you will not need to wear a full suit, unless you would like to.  Dress in the U.S. tends to be more casual/less formal than in Japan, and business casual attire is quite common for most university presentations/events site visits to government agencies in Washington, DC.  Business casual can be difficult to understand but in general business casual may be closer to typical casual/fashionable attire in Japan. 

• Men: Khaki or nice pants with a button-up/polo shirt and/or sweater.  Tie is optional. 
• Women: Nice pants/skirt with a blouse/top or a dress with a cardigan/sweater.  
• Suits: While you do not need to bring a full suit/tie with you to the U.S., some students may prefer to wear a suit/tie for their final research presentation. Sometimes, wearing a formal suit can make you feel more confident when presenting in public so this is a personal choice and a number of past alumni did wear suits and/or ties when they presented their final poster.  The choice is up to you.

Shoes: Most research labs will require that you wear close-toed shoes when working in the lab.  Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.  For all other activities/events any type of shoe is okay (sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, crocs, etc.).   Dark colored shoes/sneakers may be more versatile as the can be dressed up or down depending on the outfit you are wearing.  You will need a pair of comfortable walking shoes for the final week on the East Coast. 

Slippers: In the U.S., we typically do not take our shoes off indoors in houses/hotel rooms or in offices/labs.  Some people may take their shoes off indoors at home, but not every family does this. Hotels in the U.S. do not provide slippers!  If you prefer to take your shoes off inside, you should bring your own pair of slippers.

Swimsuit/Work-out Clothing: While in Houston, you will have access to a pool and small gym at the Wyndham Hotel and you will have free access to the Rice University Gym which includes weight room and treadmills/elliptical machines, two swimming pools, indoor basketball/volleyball courts, indoor handball courts, aerobics classes, and outdoor tennis courts.  You can pay extra to take yoga classes and other speciality classes. There is also a free running track around Rice campus. Be sure to bring a swimsuit and appropriate gym attire/sneakers if you want to take advantage of these amenities. For more information, see the Exercise in the U.S. section on our Life in the U.S. resources page. 

From Left to Right Photo 1: As 'dressed up' as most professors at Rice will ever get.  Jeans and a button-up or polo shirt. (Prof. Kono typically wears longer khaki shots and a t-shirt on most days!)  Photo 2: Even in the lab in August, students will want to wear a sweater or long-sleeves as it can be very cold indoors. Bring a light-weight jacket or sweater to keep in your office to put on indoors and take off when you go outdoors.  Photo 3: This is typical 'casual' attire for many American students in the U.S.  You will likely see lots of students wearing t-shirts and shorts. Women also often wear yoga pants/leggings and long/loose-fitting tops as everyday attire.  Photo 4: Typical male business casual attire for final poster session.  Typically nice pants and a button-up or polo shirt. Sweater and suit/tie optional, not required.  Photo 5: Typical female business casual attire for final poster session. Typically a nice skirt/pants and blouse or dress with cardigan/sweater. Suit not required but optional.

Hat/Sunglasses/Sunscreen/Bug Repellant

• Hat or Sun/UV Umbrella: Americans typically do not wear hats or use sun/UV umbrellas for sun protection. This is because, historically, for much of the 20th and early 21st century, having a tan was a sign of good health/vitality/youth/beauty. This is the opposite of Japan where, especially for women, fair/pale/white skin is the beauty ideal.  While today most Americans are much more cautious about wearing sunscreen, there is still a some cultural preference for tans and less of an emphasis on covering up to remain pale.  Therefore, sun hats and sun/UV umbrellas are rare and a bit difficult to find in the U.S. In particular, the sizes of hats in the U.S. may be too big compared to the average size needed/worn in Japan.  Bring your own sun hat or sun/UV umbrella with you to the U.S. but don't be surprised to find you are the only one using them.  You can easily find umbrellas in the U.S., but these are typically only used when it is raining heavily.  
• Sunglasses: Because Houston is much closer to the equator than Japan, the sun is much stronger.  You will likely need to wear sunglasses daily while in the U.S. and this is not considered rude/odd at all. Most Americans wear sunglasses all the time and you can often even see people with sunglasses on top of their heads or around their necks so they are easy to put on when they go outdoors.  You can bring these with you from Japan, or buy an inexpensive pair in the U.S. at Target or Wal-Mart. 
• Mosquito Repellent: Mosquitos are prevalent in Houston all year round and you should take steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Bring bug spray or wipes and use them when outdoors in parks, playing sports, or hanging out in the hammocks at Rice campus.  
• Sunscreen: The sun is also very damaging to your skin in Houston so you should wear sunscreen every day.  You can buy many types of inexpensive sunscreen at any drugstore, grocery store, or home-goods/department store like Target or Wal-Mart but you will not find Japanese brands.  The formulations of sunscreens in the U.S. will also be a bit different than formulations in Japan.  Most students prefer to bring their favorite brand/type with them from Japan.  You can find very good sunscreens in the U.S. to purchase and here is a list of the best sunscreen to buy in the U.S. from Consumer Reports. 

You can easily, and inexpensively, buy all types of toiletries and personal care items in the U.S. at pharmacies, grocery stores, or home-goods/department stores like Target or Wal-Mart. However, the brands and formulations of some of these items will be different that what you are accustomed to using in Japan.  Students may want to consider bringing their preferred brands with them from Japan, particularly if their sensitive skin or allergies of any kind. 

It is also important to know that most hotel rooms in the U.S. only provide one small, travel size bottle of shampoo and conditioners and a small bar of soap.  Hotel rooms in the U.S. do not provide toothbrushes/toothpaste, combs/brushes, razors/shaving cream, cotton pads, Q-tips/ear buds, or slippers.  Hotel rooms in the U.S. typically do have a hair dryer. 

Some items you may want to bring from Japan or plan to purchase soon after arriving in the U.S. include: 

• Shampoo/Conditioner/Hair Products
• Body Soap
• Face Soap/Moisturizer/Face Creams
  • It will be hot and humid so oil-controling formulas may be best
• Make-Up
  • There are lots of great make-up options in the U.S. and even whole stores like Sephora or Ulta that are devoted just to make-up and facial products.  However, it may be difficult to find inexpensive make-up in shades at Target/Wal-mart or pharmacies/grocery stores that match your skin tone though if you go to Sephora/Ulta or a major department store (like Macy's) the more expensive make-up brands will have a much wider array of shades.  
• Anti-perspirant or Deodorant
• Acne Medication for Face & Body/Back
  • You will sweat more due to the heat and humidity so may break out more
• Contact Solution for at least 1 – 2 Weeks
  • You can easily buy more of this in the U.S. at any grocery store, pharmacy, or Target/Wal-Mart
• Feminine Hygiene Produces for Women (Tampons/Pads)
  • You can easily buy more of this in the U.S. at any grocery store, pharmacy, or Target/Wal-Mart but many women may prefer to use their preferred brand/type from Japan. 
• Birth Control/Condoms/Sexual Heath
  • If there is any chance you may be sexually active while abroad be prepared and stay safe!

Hat/Sunglasses/Sunscreen/Bug Repellant

• 

  Hat or Sun/UV Umbrella: Americans typically do not wear hats or use sun/UV umbrellas for sun protection. This is because, historically, for much of the 20th and early 21st century, having a tan was a sign of good health/vitality/youth/beauty. This is the opposite of Japan where, especially for women, fair/pale/white skin is the beauty ideal.  While today most Americans are much more cautious about wearing sunscreen, there is still a some cultural preference for tans and less of an emphasis on covering up to remain pale.  Therefore, sun hats and sun/UV umbrellas are rare and a bit difficult to find in the U.S. In particular, the sizes of hats in the U.S. may be too big compared to the average size needed/worn in Japan.  Bring your own sun hat or sun/UV umbrella with you to the U.S. but don't be surprised to find you are the only one using them.  You can easily find umbrellas in the U.S., but these are typically only used when it is raining heavily.  
• Sunglasses: Because Houston is much closer to the equator than Japan, the sun is much stronger.  You will likely need to wear sunglasses daily while in the U.S. and this is not considered rude/odd at all. Most Americans wear sunglasses all the time and you can often even see people with sunglasses on top of their heads or around their necks so they are easy to put on when they go outdoors.  You can bring these with you from Japan, or buy an inexpensive pair in the U.S. at Target or Wal-Mart. 
• Mosquito Repellent: Mosquitos are prevalent in Houston all year round and you should take steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Bring bug spray or wipes and use them when outdoors in parks, playing sports, or hanging out in the hammocks at Rice campus.  
• Sunscreen: The sun is also very damaging to your skin in Houston so you should wear sunscreen every day.  You can buy many types of inexpensive sunscreen at any drugstore, grocery store, or home-goods/department store like Target or Wal-Mart but you will not find Japanese brands.  The formulations of sunscreens in the U.S. will also be a bit different than formulations in Japan.  Most students prefer to bring their favorite brand/type with them from Japan.  You can find very good sunscreens in the U.S. to purchase and here is a list of the best sunscreen to buy in the U.S. from Consumer Reports. 

You should bring all prescription medication (medication you have been prescribed by a doctor) with you in your carry-on luggage. It can also be helpful to bring a small travel medicine and first-aid kit with you in your checked luggage that contains some of the commonly used over the counter (OTC) medications you might need for minor illnesses or injuries such as colds, allergies, headaches, etc. 

Travel First-Aid/OTC Medication Kit: Brand names and dosage levels of medications in the U.S. will be different than in Japan and when you are not feeling well, it can be very nice to have your preferred brand of Japanese medication with you in the hotel room. Keep all OTC medication that you bring to the U.S. in its original packaging and pack this in your checked luggage. Some items you may want to consider including are: 

• Headache/Body Ache Medication
• Cold/Allergy Medication and/or Nasal Sprays
  
  • Pills may be more convenient to travel with than syrups
• Stomach Medicine for both Diarrhea and Constipation
• Motion Sickness/Altitude Sickness Medication
  • If this applies to you, be sure you are prepared!  You may get motion sickness on airplanes, buses, cars in the U.S.; particularly on freeways which have very high speed limits. 
• Hand-Sanitizer or Antibiotic Spray/Cream (e.g. Neosporian To Go)
  • This may be difficult to find in Japan but is very common in the U.S. and can be helpful to use on a small cut/scrape/blister to prevent infection or carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with in your purse/backpack to use as needed. 
• Band-Aids, Gauze, and First-Aid Tape
  • Blister band-aids are  useful to carry in your day bag
  • Larger gauze and tape can be helpful for slightly larger injuries
• Itch Cream and Mosquito Repellent 
  • Hot and Humid weather with lots of rain = mosquitos!
  • Mosquito repellent wipes are easier to travel with than spray. Less likely to leak in your bag/suitcase.
  • Rash/itch cream may be helpful too as hot + humid weather = heat rash!
• Nail Clipper/File or Manicure Set
• Tweezers
• Scissors 
  • Useful for many things in the U.S. from removing tags from clothing to opening packages. Many items in the U.S. use plastic, clamshell packaging that can be very difficult to open without a scissors. 
• Duct Tape or Packaging Tape
  • Helpful to make a quick repair to torn luggage/back-pack or other quick fix-it needs. 
• Small sewing kit
  • These are not commonly provided in hotels in the U.S. 
• Face/Sickness Masks: These are not commonly worn in the U.S.  They are typically only used by doctors during surgery (in the U.S. they are most commonly known as 'surgical masks') or by patients whose immune systems are compromised due to a life-threatening illness (e.g. people undergoing chemotherapy). If you like to wear face/sickness masks when you are ill or have allergies you should bring these with you from Japan as it will be difficult to find them for sale in Houston.   However, if you wear sickness/allergy masks out in public you may receive odd looks or very concerned questions about your health because people may assume you are seriously ill.  

Food/Cooking Supplies:  The U.S. does not use the metric system for cooking/recipes.  If you have Japanese recipes you would like to prepare, you will have to convert from the metric system or you can bring metric measuring cups/spoons with you.  You can buy most any type of food/ingredient in the U.S. though you may have to visit one of Houston's two Japanese groceries stores to find certain Japanese ingredients.  At major grocery stores, you will find a small selection of Japanese ingredients though many more Chinese or Vietnamese ingredients.  Hotels in the U.S. do not provide electric tea kettles or rice cookers.  If you like to use these appliances, plan to buy an inexpensive tea kettle or rice cooker upon arrival in the U.S. at Target, a nearby home-goods/department store. 

• What are the General Foods that Can Enter the U.S.? 
• TSA Has Rules for Spices and Powders on International Flights Now (Lifehacker) 
• For more, see our Food in the U.S. page.

Before you Go – Preparing for Research  

• "The most important preparation is for the research – read papers and textbooks as much as possible. I think I struggled with this because I started reading scientific papers with material that I wasn’t familiar with; maybe I should have read through a couple easy textbooks first. The kind of preparation that I believe will help you make the most out of this experience is to read and write a lot, be curious, and try to be knowledgeable. These take a long time to achieve, and I am working on it too; in fact, I think that every human being should continue to work on these throughout his/her life. It’s a constant effort, but these will help you ask better questions, gain important knowledge, and thus maximize your experience in the U.S." 
• "I regret that I did not read review papers seriously in advance. They give you a big picture of the specific research area that your lab is working on. Thus, as least you should read them. Furthermore, you should remember technical terms in your field. I knew the technical terms in biology so I had little trouble as for the scientific communication, but if you do not know, you should memorize them. Otherwise, it will be more difficult for you to conduct a research and to make a poster in English."
• "I had a difficulty in communicating with using technical terms so I highly recommend you to learn the basic technical terms in your field in English. Before I went to U.S., my professor at Rice sent me article relating to the project. This was the first time to read a full article and it took a lot of time to read through it. After knowing the way to read article my mentor at Rice and my seniors at my university practiced, I found that I took mistakes. I concentrated on reading sentences one by one but they are mainly saw figures to understand articles. They let me know figures are the core of articles."
  • For more see Reading and Understanding Scientific Research Papers on our Doing Research page.
• "I wish I had known more about how to contact in English on email. I was sometimes surprised at the English way of sending email because their message was really direct and I was sometimes upset."
  • English is a very direct language and can be even more direct sounding via email. For more, see Communication and Directness in the U.S. on our Life in the U.S. page.

While Abroad – Doing Research and Working with your U.S. Research Group 

• "At Rice University, I didn’t have an opportunity to work with laboratory members other than my mentor. In the Computer Science Department, students work separately in small rooms and I didn’t share one with other students. If you ask your professor if you can also join the weekly meeting of the research group/lab, you may have opportunity to also meet other laboratory members!"

 Packing

• "I think you do not need to bring much from Japan because you can buy almost anything from daily stuffs to food in U.S. In addition, you will buy souvenirs in U.S. so you had better to have some space to your baggage when you leave Japan. In fact, the baggage of the most of members were overweight when we got on the plane to return and we struggled with packing."
• "I recommend future participants bring business cards, compression socks (to wear on the long plane ride) and leave-in conditioner."
• "If your luggage is not overweight, I recommend to bring miso soup with you. Miso soup is the one thing that I missed in the U.S."
• "Bright a packable, light-weight down winter coat and wear this on the plane as it will be very cold on the international flight." 

• "I found that I don’t have a taste for fat, and that it is better to avoid fatty foods like cheese or meat with a lot of fat. If you have a taste like me, I recommend you look for salads and vegetarian food. They are healthy and tasty, which I didn’t expect before going to the US."
• For more see our Food in Japan 

• "I really enjoyed shopping cosmetic products at Sephora! I bought many mini-size lipsticks and perfumes, which were good omiyage for my friends!"