Ten tips for parents visiting their NRI children in the U.S.

When it comes to going abroad on foreign trips, especially to the United States of America (USA), there is a certain amount of awe involved. Yes, even today, when almost every family living in most major cities in India has an immediate or distant relative living in the U.S. or working abroad. Yet, there is whole lot of ignorance when it comes to matters of everyday life there.

The best general everyday tips we can think of giving to parents (or elderly relatives / friends) traveling to U.S for the first time or subsequently would be these-

Tip 1. - Be vigilant or cautious while traveling

The parents have to be advised to be vigilant or cautious while traveling. Indian parents, especially Indian women, have a tendency to chatter away with the first person they meet. If it is an Indian even better! Well, no harm in that. The tip is, do not hold their luggage for them. Do not carry their bags or watch it. At the same time watch your luggage carefully and do not trust it to anyone even when going to the rest room. Take it with you. The stalls are big enough.

Tip 2. - Life of children working is busy and fastpaced

Never assume that their NRI kids would have a lot of time for them just because they will be living with them. Even their grand children have things to do, a schedule to meet. Life is busy and fastpaced and to earn and do well, people have to work hard and long so that means being away from home a lot.

Tip 3. - Plan your day to avoid boredom

Think of things to do in the spare 8-10 hrs you will have everyday. Women could get their knitting or sewing kits, Indian magazines or books to read in their own language. Go for long walks if the weather permits. Fathers could think of photography. Parents could get books on hobbies like origami to do at home and also teach their grandchildren as a bonding exercise. Mothers could get recipe books to try out new dishes for their kids.

If the parents have access to the kind of resources to learn how to use the Internet it is a huge bonus for them. They are able to communicate with people back home and it is cheaper for their children in the U.S as voice chatting through the Internet is far cheaper and parents get a longer time to talk as per their own convenience.

The biggest negative for for parents is boredom. The parents have to come prepared to deal with that.

Tip 4. - Pack clothes adequetly to deal with weather

Depending on weather conditions parents will have to come prepared with their apparel. Be warned though, sweaters will not cut it in the U.S. The wind is cold and fierce in winter. To defend yourself you need warm jackets and boots. The best option would be to either get your leather jackets from India, or better still get them here or get your children to buy them for you at sale time at Christmas before you arrive. Try not to get cotton clothes if you are going to a cold place. You could get a lot of inner thermal wear though, to wear inside your clothes if you have to wear cotton.

Tip 5. - Be prepared to do a lot of household chores

Parents have to be prepared to do a lot of house hold chores in the U.S., as maid or cleaning service can be very expensive for many NRI children. Unlike India, there are no maids to come and do the little things like cleaning and doing dishes. One has to be willing to lend in a hand in daily chores.

Tip 6. - Improve your English language skills

It serves well for most Indian parents to have some knowledge of the English language. The U.S is primarily an English speaking country and the parents who come down here for the first time, and don’t speak English suffer far more as they can't even say hello to their neighbors, unless they are Indians too. Basic or rudimentary English language can be easily learned to deal with every day life in an pre-dominantyly English-speaking country like the US.

Tip 7. - Get a routine health and dental checkup

Parents should get all their medical check ups from their family physician in thier country and get any required treatments done before they arrive in the U.S. If they need any kind of medication, they should get their prescriptions filled and/or carry enough to last through their stay with their prescription. Prescriptions filled by International doctors are usually not accepted by U.S. pharmacies. Medical treatments are expensive in the U.S and visitor medical insurance are only for huge emergencies. Also visit your dentist and/or your eye-doctor is you need these services before your trip abroad.

Carry two pairs of eye glasses (if you need one). Spectacles are an expensive commodity in the U.S. Most travel insurance plans also do not cover regular visits to the eye doctor or coverage for replacement of eyeglasses. A little planning can save you some unwanted additional costs.

It’s a good idea to keep a first-aid kit handy for any emergencies that may arise during your trip. Most medical pharmacies stock basic first-aid kits with common aids needed.

Finally, the best thing you can do for yourself to keep healthy and happy while on vacation is to purchase Visitor Medical Insurance. Medical costs in the United States can be very high, and buying a plan for Visitor Medical Insurance coverage is very highly advisable, especially since the odds of your parents need to seek some type of medical assistance while abroad is not in your hands. Be sure to examine different policies, make careful inquiries and always read the fine print in the brochure. ServeGlobe.com provides a comparison tool which allows you to compare several policies.

Tip 8. - Don’t pack your suitcases with food items

Now there is the innate need for especially mothers to carry food articles for their children under the assumption that it could not possibly be available anywhere else.

Don’t pack your suitcases with food items. Especially fruits or vegetables! It is against the law to get things like that into the U.S. Indian grocery stores in the U.S also have pickle, but if you want your children to have homemade pickles, come to the U.S and make it. It will also give you something to do in your spare time.

Tip 9. - Get an International Drivers Permit

One thing that comes in handy is a driver’s permit. If the parents drive in India they could drive in the U.S. They have to pass a driving test and a written test. It sounds scary but it's not. It helps one get around more. They could also pick up their grand children from school then. (That’s an incentive!)

Tip 10. - Bon Voyage with an open mind

To adapt is the best way for parents to have a successful stay in the U.S. If they keep an open mind and are ready to try out new things they can enjoy more, relax and have fun. Be less anxious and enjoy your stay to the fullest with all your family. Bon Voyage!