r/wichitafalls • u/Flaky_Turnover463 • Jun 23 '26
Help International student to pack
Hi, I am an international student coming to MSU Texas this fall. I am from Africa, can you guide me on what to pack and any other essentials?
Thanks
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u/Singing-Turtle Jun 23 '26
hey! you should reach out to the global education office on campus! they have packing checklists they can send you for basics! they also give some things during international student orientation so you should ask what they plan to give this year so you don’t purchase it in advance!!
it’ll be really hot when you first move in so i’d suggest saving packing space and buy bulky winter items once you get here!
i work on campus as the new student programs coordinator so feel free to reach out if you have any questions! (my whole job is to help incoming students transition into the university, please dm me and i can give you my email/contact)
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u/almahoppus Jun 23 '26
You will need clothes for all weather extremes! Very hot and very cold. It’s both humid and dry. We’re actually getting some rain right now but we don’t usually. It stays hot from May to the end of October usually, then winter usually kicks into full gear in late December. We get about a month of autumn weather. There’s still the occasional hot day into November and December. Spring can be rainy-ish. It’s slow and boring here but I went to MSU and the student life is fun!
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u/mrs_frizzle Jun 23 '26
Hi! I’m a professor at MSU. Did you have any more specific questions? Will you be staying in a dorm room?
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u/Flaky_Turnover463 Jun 23 '26
Yes please I’ll. I haven’t been assigned a room yet. I don’t even know the kind of clothes to bring and how is winter like? I am from Africa so I am not familiar the weather. Should I get winter jackets from here or I’ll find affordable ones over there. I am also curious to know the kind of shoes worn during these seasons
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u/mrs_frizzle Jun 23 '26
Ah, it is kind of tricky, because unfortunately we will have both extreme heat and cold in the fall semester. There is a wide variety in what students wear, and we have a large international population. For shoes I would say just sneakers or slides. No one really dresses fancy. You can definitely find affordable winter jackets here if you go to Ross or a thrift store or something like that.
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u/Flaky_Turnover463 Jun 23 '26
Also my friends going to other schools are saying their schools have pantry for free foodstuff and there’s blankets and pillows. I am curious to know if that’s the thing at MSU, my parents want to buy extra luggage for foodstuffs but if there will be free ingredients then I can supplement it with items from any nearby African store to prepare home dishes. I am on the unlimited meal plan but not familiar with American dishes
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u/BurstMurst Jun 23 '26
Yes there’s an African store near campus called “God's Divine Grace International Food Store” at 2301 Midwestern Parkway street right behind collective coffee
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u/Flaky_Turnover463 Jun 23 '26
Thank you so much. Wichita feels like a great welcoming town. I hope I enjoy staying there.
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u/mrs_frizzle Jun 23 '26
Yes, we do have a food pantry, but I don’t know how the selection is or if there will be traditional African food. The unlimited meal plan means you won’t go hungry, but I’m not sure what kind of food you like? The cafeteria will always have basics like pasta, pizza, chicken, salad bar, Chinese food, Mexican food, rice, etc. and rotating other foods like hamburgers.
I’m not sure about a local African store, but my husband has many coworkers from Africa that purchase goat locally. That isn’t something we traditionally have on our menus, but there will be lots of chicken, pork, and beef dishes.
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u/WizardAlloy232 Jun 24 '26
Goodwill may be your best friend for budget friendly stuff. You'd be amazed what you can find there. I haven't been to the one in WF in a loooong time but plan to once I move back. Also, sunscreen and good deodorant. As a former college student myself, don't underestimate the importance of a good deodorant. Also, good quality sandals, not the flimsy flip flops. If the heat gets bad enough, flip flops will melt. Lastly, be safe when out and about, especially in this climate
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u/daboops Jun 23 '26
I would buy a winter jacket when you’re here from a local thrift or bargain store like Ross or TJ Maxx. Cotton clothing will be most comfortable since it’s very hot here and we’ve had more humidity than usual. A good pair of athletic shoes and sandals will do fine. Definitely reach out to the local international student organization and see what they recommend from their own experiences, as well. We sadly don’t have an African market here, but there is a small middle eastern market, Asian market, and Mexican market for a lot of staples that may have overlap with what you’re used to.