During summer (June through September), the weather is often hot and humid in the Pittsburgh area. Lightweight clothing is necessary. During winter (late November into April), expect sudden and extreme weather changes; there may be several days of cold weather followed by days of moderate temperatures. During this time period, you should also expect some snow and rain. Warm overcoats and boots are needed and may be purchased at nearby stores and shopping malls. All campus buildings are heated, so medium weight clothing is most comfortable indoors. Spring and fall seasons are more moderate. Rain may unexpectedly occur throughout the year, so an umbrella is recommended. Below are some temperature averages:

In addition to clothing and other essentials, you may also consider bringing the following items for your stay in the U.S.: extra eyeglasses or contact lenses, medications (in clearly labeled containers), photos, traditional clothing/dress, contact information for friends and family at home or in the U.S., and compact items that will help your residence feel like home. Check with your airline regarding luggage weight and security measures, or consult the Transportation Security Administration for luggage requirements and security. 

You should have a small amount of U.S. currency ($1, $5, $10, and $20 bills in the amount of $100 to $300 dollars) and coins available upon your arrival into the U.S. These funds will be used for your travel expenses such as ground transportation, meals, books, supplies, and other personal needs. For your protection, it is best to not carry any large sums of money on your person or in your luggage.

If you bring a bank draft or a foreign check to open an account, you cannot draw upon it for 2 to 3 weeks, so we recommend not relying on these funds for immediate cash. After you have established a U.S. bank account, you may have money wired directly from your home bank to your U.S. bank. Since wiring fees can be expensive, make sure to check with your home bank in advance and consider wiring only large sums.

If you have major credit cards, you should bring them with you to the U.S. Since you have no credit history in the U.S.,  it can be difficult or even impossible to obtain a U.S. credit card even if you have credit cards from your home country.

Airport Currency Exchange

While it may be more convenient to exchange for U.S. dollars in your home country, limited buy/sell currency exchange is available at Travelex Worldwide Money located in the Pittsburgh International Airport on the Landside Transit Level (open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and the International Arrivals Level (open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). They are open seven days a week and offer additional services of faxing and international calling cards. If needed, ask airport personnel for directions to their offices. 

Until you know your new U.S. address, you may have your letters and packages sent to:

Your Full Name
Carnegie Mellon University, International Student
SMC code (only needed for undergraduates, if known)
HOLD AT:
5032 Forbes Avenue
SMC #
Pittsburgh, PA 15289

You must pick up your mail as soon as possible after arriving on campus, as space is limited. Please inquire at the Carnegie Mellon Post Office, located in the lower level in the Cohon University Center.

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a type of national identification number that is required for employment in the U.S. An SSN is not required to live in the U.S. and it is not a form of work authorization. An SSN is used by the U.S. government to withhold taxes from pay.

You may be asked for an SSN when applying for a U.S. bank account, signing a lease agreement or when buying a cell phone. If you do not have an SSN, then you will need to provide alternative documentation for these services. 

Carnegie Mellon is located in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, approximately 20 miles from the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport. There is a public bus service (Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), formerly the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Bus #28X) directly from the airport to the Carnegie Mellon campus. The bus departs from the lower level of the airport. The final stop the bus makes is in front of Morewood Gardens Residence Hall on the Carnegie Mellon campus. Please visit the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) website for more information.

Drivers do not carry change, so be prepared with exact change when boarding the bus (in small bills and coins). The trip takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes depending on the time of day. Taxi service from the airport is also available at all times and will cost about $50 to Oakland. The taxi should be metered and a tip of 10-15% of the cost on the meter is usually expected.