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Preparing for Your Trip

Travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

In order to travel to the United States, you will land in a major city like New York City, Chicago, or Detroit and take a domestic flight to Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA).

Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) serves direct flights to and from the following cities within the United States:

City, State Airport Code Note
Chicago, Illinois ORD  
Detroit, Michigan DTW  
Cincinnati, Ohio CVG  
Atlanta, Georgia ATL  
Houston, Texas IAH  
St. Paul, Minnesota MSP  
Fort Lauderdale, Florida FLL via Allegiant Air

ISS recommends you purchase your ticket to fly from your home country to reach the United States at one of the airports listed above. Ask your travel agent to add a domestic ticket from the first United States arrival airport to Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA). Please allow at least a 3-hour difference between your arrival to the first United States arrival airport and the domestic flight to Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA). Please make sure to inform ISS about your travel arrangement ahead of time (at least one week before your arrival).

Travel Tips

  • Please purchase your airline ticket and make your travel arrangement after your F-1 Visa is secured.
  • Please arrange your plane to arrive in Fort Wayne before 3 p.m. in order to be able to arrive at ISS before the end of the working hours (5 p.m.)
  • Never leave your luggage unattended at the airport and do not allow strangers to carry your bags.
  • Always observe signs and regulations in public places.
  • Always carry your valid credit card and some cash in the amount of 100 USD (U.S. dollars) in case of an emergency.
  • Do not accept rides from strangers. Take only official taxis from the airport to your final destination.
  • Be careful who you give personal information to (e.g., your name or address).
  • Be aware of your surroundings. if you are lost, ask a police officer, security guard, airline personnel, or workers in the airport for assistance.
  • In case of an emergency, call 911 from any telephone.

What do I need to bring with me to Fort Wayne?

We recommend you bring the following items for your room at IPFW. If you cannot bring them, make sure to have extra money to purchase them in the United States.

Our categorization is general. There may be some items that you may see as more important than others, but ISS strongly suggests you bring/purchase the items in the “Must Bring” category. The third category represents items that make life comfortable, but are not necessities.

Must Bring

  • Address book
  • Eyeglasses/contact lenses (if needed)
  • Dictionary
  • Medicine and prescriptions
  • Towel, soap, and lotion
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Slippers/flip flops
  • Backpack
  • For winter:
    • Warm sweaters
    • Warm hats and gloves
    • Warm coats
    • Insulated and waterproof boots
  • For summer:
    • Shorts
    • T-shirts
  • U.S. dollars

Important

  • Alarm clock
  • Study lamp
  • Pillow and pillowcases
  • Blankets
  • Pajamas
  • Bedspread and sheets
  • Clothes (jackets, dress shoes, formal attire)
  • Jeans or pants
  • Umbrella
  • Hair dryer

Other

  • Music from your home country
  • Camera
  • Mattress pad
  • Items to decorate your room
  • Personal computer
  • Laundry bag or basket
  • Throw rugs
  • Athletic shoes
  • Traditional dress/outfit
  • Bathrobe
  • Photos (family and friends)
  • Hangers
  • First aid kit

Each student is allowed a maximum of two pieces of luggage weighing 50lbs (22 kg) each (22 kg x 2) (does not include hand luggage). Please make sure to write your name and address on the labels of your luggage.

If you will be making more than one stop in your flight/trip, make sure to write your final destination on the labels of your luggage. [Example: if you fly from Japan to Detroit and then from Detroit to Fort Wayne, you must write your final destination of Fort Wayne (FWA)].

Note: All of the items above are very necessary for all new international students coming to IPFW. Please make sure to include all of them in your bags. However, for more helpful information on your preparation before coming to the United States, please visit the eduPASS Web site.