At the Airport - after landing in the USA ...

Before reaching the immigration counter, keep the following documents ready - Passport, I-20 (keep both copies inside the envelope. Do not open the seal), I-94 and customs form (you will fill these during flight), Admission/Assistantship letter, pen.

IMPORTANT: After your immigrations check at your port of entry, CHECK to see if your I-94 stub has been stamped correctly with your CORRECT Visa status (F1 for a student). A mistake such as a B2 stamp instead of an F1 will mean that you may have to return back to India within a few months.

• Fruits and vegetables are not allowed at the customs clearance. If the customs official asks you to throw any food article, please do so. Do not argue.

• At the Airport

  The Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta is the closest international airport you could land in to reach Athens. Atlanta is well connected by most major international airlines such as  Delta, Lufthansa, Swiss Air, Air France, British Airways, and Northwest-KLM. Please confirm with your travel agent if a TRANSIT VISA is required during your stop-over in some European countries. (Do not forget to open a frequent flier account with the airlines you travel, and ask them to credit your travel miles).
  
  Majority of the flights coming from India reach Atlanta in the afternoon. International flights land at Concourse E of the Airport. Follow the signs for Immigration, and have your passport, visa, I-20, completed I-94, and Custom's forms (these you will receive in the flight) ready to show to the Immigration officer. After clearing this, claim your Baggage at the belt, and move on towards US-Customs. This entire procedure usually takes 2 hours. After Customs, you will have to check-in your baggage again and reclaim it at the Terminal. You yourself cannot carry your baggage to the Terminal.
  (If you had a stop over anywhere in US before coming to Atlanta, your custom check will take place at that place. In that case you directly come to the baggage claim to claim your luggage and that's it).
  
  In case your baggage is lost, please go to your airline counter, and fill in a form giving details of the baggage contents. Contact address of either ISA's president or vice-president can be provided to them. Your baggage would be sent directly to Athens later, so make sure you are carrying few clothes and basic accessories in your carry-on luggage.
  
  From here one needs to catch a Mini-Train (yes! inside the airport), and exit at Ticketing/ Baggage Claim. The trains run every 60-90 seconds, so do not panic!
  
  After you get down from the train, move to either North or South Terminal, depending on your airline, for Baggage Claim. Reclaim your bags, and then look for signs for Ground Transportation in the walkway of the South Baggage Claim to exit through the double sliding doors of the airport building.

  Reaching Athens

  Athens is around 90 min journey (80 miles/ 130 km) from Atlanta airport, and is well connected by AAA Airport Shuttle. At the exit of the airport building, look for the AAA Shuttle board at the F-13/14 lot in the stand area. (A white colored mini bus with AAA Shuttle written in Blue). Tickets cost $45 (+ $3 tip) per person, and can be bought from the driver while boarding the van. Check out the above link to find out the timings of the shuttles. Ask the driver to drop you at the GEORGIA CENTER for CONTINUING EDUCATION. If you got off early or missed this stop, don't panic, most stops for the shuttle are quite close to campus. Drop off at the Downtowner Motel at Five Points (this is the next stop after Georgia Center), or try to get to either the Ramada Inn or Marriott Courtyard. ISA members will receive you at the Georgia Center, and escort you to your temporary accommodation. If required, please call any of the above-mentioned contact numbers.