Delhi to Ann Arbor and then some - early thoughts
I'm starting my MBA studies at the Ross school of business at Ann arbor soon. That ofcourse entails a 12000 km odd journey that takes around 24 hours end to end. My wife and I flew Lufthansa via Frankfurt to get here from Delhi - a good flight, nothing to complain about at all. Staff were friendly, flight was on time and food was ok. However the seating in the plane was tight and really the food wasnt anything exceptional. Note: Keep an eye out while flying over Greenland: the ices are amazing!
Frankfurt airport: It's big, but not as big as they say. We had a 3 hour layover and we had plenty of time to move in from arrival to departures. The airport is no-frills - nothing ofcourse like good old Changi - and we spent our time sipping coffee and happily checking-in on facebook.
Ann Arbor - early thoughts. It's like (is!) a large sprawling campus with tons of restaurants and (fewer) bars thrown in. To be honest- I've just made a few trips across- but the beauty of the campus is evident (its got it roots in the 1900s)- greenery all around. I do miss the rough hustle and bustle of the city - there are too many students here :) and it's too serene (wait-what am I saying). The weather now (August) is fluctuating from pretty cool to warm (18-30 deg celcius). When I arrived I needed a jacket - now its warm with just a light shirt.
Key notes for young US indians/ immigrants:
1. Tap water may or may not be ok: I'm drinking the cold one, but not the warm one (sposed to be leady?)
2. Student- join Amazon prime- bought me phone from them
3. Lyft and Uber are good - install them
4. Tmobile vs AT&T: Join a family plan: Im paying 25 dollars incl taxes for a unlimited tmobile connection. However strength is sketchy - you might wanna go for at&t (45 $ a month but better connection)
5. chase vs boa: Check out chases online coupons if you are going for it. BOA offers secured(un) credit cards - something i think chase doesnt really do (unless you're dealing with loads of $$$$$$$$s )
6. Buying laptop? bestbuy- has student laptop deals/coupons. Amazon/ Walmart are good
7. Groceries: still not sure. Busch's needs to be checked
8. Indian store: Patel - its outside town so you may have to get a lyft. though buses do ply near by.
Frankfurt airport: It's big, but not as big as they say. We had a 3 hour layover and we had plenty of time to move in from arrival to departures. The airport is no-frills - nothing ofcourse like good old Changi - and we spent our time sipping coffee and happily checking-in on facebook.
Ann Arbor - early thoughts. It's like (is!) a large sprawling campus with tons of restaurants and (fewer) bars thrown in. To be honest- I've just made a few trips across- but the beauty of the campus is evident (its got it roots in the 1900s)- greenery all around. I do miss the rough hustle and bustle of the city - there are too many students here :) and it's too serene (wait-what am I saying). The weather now (August) is fluctuating from pretty cool to warm (18-30 deg celcius). When I arrived I needed a jacket - now its warm with just a light shirt.
Key notes for young US indians/ immigrants:
1. Tap water may or may not be ok: I'm drinking the cold one, but not the warm one (sposed to be leady?)
2. Student- join Amazon prime- bought me phone from them
3. Lyft and Uber are good - install them
4. Tmobile vs AT&T: Join a family plan: Im paying 25 dollars incl taxes for a unlimited tmobile connection. However strength is sketchy - you might wanna go for at&t (45 $ a month but better connection)
5. chase vs boa: Check out chases online coupons if you are going for it. BOA offers secured(un) credit cards - something i think chase doesnt really do (unless you're dealing with loads of $$$$$$$$s )
6. Buying laptop? bestbuy- has student laptop deals/coupons. Amazon/ Walmart are good
7. Groceries: still not sure. Busch's needs to be checked
8. Indian store: Patel - its outside town so you may have to get a lyft. though buses do ply near by.
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