Here is a list of items most international students at USC recommend you bring from home:

	Travel documents Passport, U.S. Visa in your passport, I-20 (for F-1 students) or a DS-2019 (for J-1 students), old I-20s/DS-2019s.
	Academic documents Transcripts, degrees/diplomas/certificates
	Driver's license Contrary to popular perception, you do not need an International Driver License or Permit to drive in California; your foreign driver license may be good enough. The state of California recognizes a foreign driver license as long as it is valid, and the holder is a resident of the country issuing the document. Click here for more details.
	You will need to get a California driver's license, if you plan to buy a car, and on completion of a year in California, when you become a California resident
	Favorite national music and movies While there is no dearth of world music or foreign films in LA, your favorites may be unheard of or difficult to find. A favorite videocassette or DVD can make you feel at home even when your are not.
	A good dictionary Purchase a reliable dictionary that explains American English in your local language
	Textbooks Some students prefer to buy the lower-priced editions of the prescribed textbooks in their home countries. These textbooks are often referred to as Eastern Economy Editions and are available in less developed countries in the faculties of engineering, natural sciences, psychology, and medicine to name a few.
	Loans If you will need a loan, it's often easier to arrange for this in your home country. Interest rates in the US are especially high for foreign students with little or no credit history.
	Petty cash You will need some US currency - around $200 - in small denominations (5, 10, 20) to tide you through the first few days before you can cash your draft or traveler's checks. This will come in handy during the flight to Los Angeles, to pay for your shuttle ride to USC, a couple of meals, a phone card, etc.
	Pre-paid phone card While this is not a necessity, it is one of the handiest items to have, especially during the first few days. Of course, most phone cards that are used within the US will have to be paid for in US dollars. Therefore, you may have to ask a close friend or family member to purchase one on your behalf. Your friend or relative can email the toll-free number, the personal identification number (PIN) and the calling instructions to you. You can reimburse him/her when you arrive. Having a pre-paid phone card does away with the need for change, not easy to obtain, especially when you've just arrived. It's also ideal for when you want to inform your designated contact or emergency contact of a potential problem, or to inform friends and family in the US of your arrival. It also saves you the hassle of finding and walking to a public phone, or of inconveniencing your friend or relative by making long-distance interstate calls from their phone and sticking them with the bill.
	Photocopies of Travel and academic documents Ensure that you have photocopies of the main pages of your passport (expiry date/passport number/date of birth and visa), your transcripts, degrees/diplomas/certificates etc. Keep a set of photocopies in each piece of luggage, in case one of your bags are misplaced or lost in transit. You may also want to carry a few passport-size photographs of yourself.
	Important numbers Note down your passport number, travelers' checks numbers, bank draft number, flight number, your contact number and an emergency contact number on a single sheet of paper. Keep it in your handbag or on your person, so you don't have to take out your important documents every time you need to fill out a form. Leave a list of all these important numbers at home as well.