Before You Come to Caltech

Miscellaneous

As a new comer, it’s always helpful to know about local conventions and practical matters in the everyday life. It’s also a huge help in facilitating the adjustment.

 
Conversions and Equivalence

You will notice that for everyday life, US uses the English measurement system. Here are some useful web sites to operate some conversions from the metric measurements to the English ones: Metric http://www.intuitivetransport.com/library/trade/metric.htm
http://www.mathconnect.com/.

Temperature

Temperature is expressed in Fahrenheit; to convert Celsius in Fahrenheit, use the Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter.

Money and Currency

A currency calculator is available on x-rates.com.

Clothes and Shoe Sizes

Clothes and shoe are available on Online Conversion.com

California Earthquakes

Here are some basic rules to know what to do in case an earthquake happens and to learn about earthquake preparedness.

Caltech also operates an earthquake hotline which provides a list of phone numbers to call for information on recent seismic activity, agencies providing services, and fault-line maps. Please dial 626-395-3003. (Note: in the event of an extended power outage this number may be unavailable.) Earthquake information may also be obtained from the California Integrated Seismic Network.

Remember

Electrical, hi-fi equipment and others items are 110 volts in US
Plants and some food items may be not transported.
Mail forwarding: to receive and forward mail that may not normally be forwarded by the post-office  (like bills to a foreign address). 
Contract’s termination: housing, insurance contracts, telephone, etc.
Make separate lists of items: air shipment, ocean shipment, and home storage