Travel Documents are more important than anything else! Your Passport, I-20 and any other form of identification are what matter most.
Providence is a city which gets all 4 seasons, so pack accordingly.
Summer can be warm and humid with temperatures reaching almost 30 degrees Celcius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Bring comfortable shorts, skirts, flip-flops and other summer wear. In the fall, things cool down with temperatures often going as low as 8 degrees Celcius (46 degrees Fahrenheit) and by this time a warm jacket is recommended. Winter is cold, with temperatures sometimes going down to -7 degrees Celcius (20 degrees Fahrenheit) or even lower with the wind-chill factor. For the winter several layers, a warm jacket, snow or water proof shoes and full length trousers/jeans are a necessity. Spring is beautiful with the average temperature being around 15-18 degrees Celcius (59-66 degrees Fahrenheit). Just a light jacket in the evenings is more than enough. For more detailed Providence weather information you can check here.
Brown is a pretty informal school, and so apart from weather considerations, feel free to dress exactly how you like. If you ever find that you need to do some shopping, there are plenty of stores within walking distance of campus, or you could even make a trip to Boston or New York where there are even wider selections of stores.
Having a computer is very useful though not absolutely mandatory, because the libraries on campus and other facilites have several computer clusters. However, since most of your classes will have a website, and you might be handing in home-work online, as well as typing out all your assignments and papers, having a computer in the room is very convenient. The Brown Computer Store as well as other nearby stores tend to have special deals on computers in the early Fall, so if you'd like, you could wait to purchase one upon your arrival.
Carry some photographs, or your favourite books or movies, or some food from your home country. There are always those odd days when you want to share memories with your new friends, or just want to look back at some of the times you had before coming to Brown. These things take up little space, and can just give you that extra comfort in a new place.
There are numerous stores near campus and at the Providence Place Mall where sheets, pillow covers, as well as curtains, rugs, clocks, mirrors and other things you might need to do up your room with are available, so you don't need to carry all these from home.
Winter Jacket: It is essential that you have a warm jacket for when it starts to get cold. There are many different styles and options, but a common choice among students are jackets stuffed with down feathers, which are available in water-proof material. A good place to shop would be at the Providence Place Mall or in Boston if you're able to get there, and a good time would be early in the semester because the beginning of winter is hard to predict, and it's always good to be prepared before-hand.
Layering: Wearing several layers really helps staying warm, especially during the winter when nothing else seems to work! So a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath a short-sleeves t-shirt, underneath a thin sweater, underneath a thick sweater, underneath the above-mentioned down jacket, and you will soon forget how cold it is!
Footwear: This is really an essential part of feeling warm. Warm socks, and snow-proof shows can make a huge difference to beating the cold.
Scarves, Caps and Gloves: These are great additions which add that extra warmth, and help deal with the wind. Keeping your neck, ears and hands warm can greatly influence how warm you feel on the whole.
By Plane – T. F. Green Airport is located about ten miles south of Providence . The most economical way of transportation to the campus is by shuttle (Airport Limousine Co.), which leaves the airport on the hour and arrives on campus about 15 minutes later. Alternatively, you can also take a taxi from the airport which will cost you about $30-$40.
By Train/Bus - The train terminal is located in Providence 's downtown district. From there, you should take a cab to campus. The Bonanza bus terminal is located to the north of downtown and provides a free shuttle to Kennedy Plaza . From there, you can either walk "up the hill" (about 10 to 15 minutes), or take a bus or cab to campus.
By Automobile - (Note: Construction projects in the city may require adjustments to the routes below.) *** Due to construction on I-90, please allow extra travel time if coming from Boston. ***
From the south: From I-95 North, move into the right lane as you approach Providence and stay there. Follow signs for Exit 20, I-195 East, (DO NOT TAKE EXIT 19). Once on the ramp for I-195 East, move over all the way to the right as soon as possible. Take exit 1, Downtown Providence. Follow the exit ramp to the first light. Turn right onto Dyer Street. At the third light turn right onto College Street. At the next light, go straight up the hill. Continue straight at the stop sign halfway up the hill. At the top of the hill, where College Street intersects with Prospect Street, you will see Brown’s Van Wickle Gates. Turn left onto Prospect Street. At the next light, turn right onto Waterman Street. At the second light, turn right onto Brook Street. The visitor parking lot will be on your left immediately after turning onto Brook Street.
From the north: If traveling on I-95 South, move into the second lane from the far left as soon as you see the State Capitol building. Follow signs for I-195 East. Once on the ramp for I-195 East, move over all the way to the right as soon as possible. Take exit 1, Downtown Providence. Follow the exit ramp to the first light. Turn right onto Dyer Street. At the third light turn right onto College Street. At the next light, go straight up the hill. Continue straight at the stop sign halfway up the hill. At the top of the hill, where College Street intersects with Prospect Street, you will see Brown’s Van Wickle Gates. Turn left onto Prospect Street. At the next light, turn right onto Waterman Street. At the second light, turn right onto Brook Street. The visitor parking lot will be on your left immediately after turning onto Brook Street.
From the east: Follow I-195 West until exit 2, South Main Street. Travel down South Main Street to the first light. Turn right onto College Street. At the next stop sign, go straight up the hill. At the top of the hill, you will see Brown’s Van Wickle Gates. Turn left onto Prospect Street. At the next light, turn right onto Waterman Street. At the second light, turn right onto Brook Street. The visitor parking lot will be on your left immediately after turning onto Brook Street.
From the northwest: Follow Route 146 to I-95 South. Once on I-95 South, follow the directions above (from the north and south).
