What is the climate like and what should I bring or not bring...

Climate in Clemson, SC

Clemson does have a distinctive separation of the four seasons. Summers are warm and quite humid, while winters are moderate with very little or no snowfall. In the United States, weather temperatures are referred in Fahrenheit.  

January:   Low 30F –  High 52F  ( Low -1C - High 11C)

April:   Low 47F – High 73F (Low 8C – High 23C)

July:  Low 68F – High 91F (Low 18C – High 31C)

October:  Low 48F – High 74F (Low 9C – High 23C)

The precipitation throughout the year is between 3.7 inch (94mm) and 5.8 inch (148mm)

What to Bring

Carry-on Luggage:
You can usually carry on one bag, and a purse, laptop computer, briefcase or backpack. Please check your airline companies for allowance.
Money:
It is strongly suggested that you bring at least USD 2,000.00 with you to Clemson to assist with initial costs and necessities. If you have an assistantship or on-campus employment, you will not be paid until after you receive your U.S. Social Security card, a process which can take four weeks or longer. (Please see the section on Employment for details.) However, you do not want to bring thousands of dollars in cash with you. Bring about 200.00 in cash and additional money in the form of traveler’s checks and money orders. EXCHANGE MONEY??
Documents: 
You should carry the following documents with you whenever you travel to and from the U.S.
·         Passport
·         Visa
·         I20 (F1 students) or DS2019(J1 students)
·         Letter of Acceptance from Clemson University
·         Documents to demonstrate adequate financial resources
Contact information and phone card (if you can get one from home country):
1. Phone number of the person who will pick you up at the airport. If you plan to take a shuttle, the phone number   of the shuttle service and your hotel/apartment are useful in case of flight delays or any other problems
2. Address and phone number of the International Services.
3. Address and phone number of your academic department (if you're a graduate student) or the Dean's office (if you're an undergraduate)
4. Check-in Luggage: Recently airline companies have strict baggage allowance for check-in luggage and charge for additional, oversized or overweight bags that you may have. So, pack wisely, but don’t forget things that you definitely need.
Additional Documents: 
Bring your original driver’s license from your home country and, if possible, obtain an international driver’s license in your county. Also bring a proof of immunization, insurance documentation, and important health documents, especially if you are being treated for any pre-existing conditions.
Clothing:
Most students, undergraduates and graduates, dress casually when going to class and save nicer outfits for going out at night, during weekends or for other special occasions. For summer, bring casual, lightweight and comfortable clothes. It is hot and humid outside even though buildings are air-conditioned. For winter, you will need sweatshirts, light-weight jackets, a heavy jacket or coat, sweaters, gloves and hats.  Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes.
Household Items:
You may want to bring a set of towels and a travel size shampoo bottle, soap, tooth brush and tooth paste for the first week. You may be able to purchase household items inexpensively in discount stores or at a local charity/ thrift shops. Used furniture may also be available from various sources. The Clemson Area Transit (CAT) bus is free and has routes that include stops to area stores.
If you are planning to bring electrical appliances from home, make sure to also bring collect transforming converters necessary to meet the US standards, 110-120 watts electricity, DC power, and 2-flatt legged wall sockets.
Medicine:
There are a variety of medicines available at drugstores for common illness, such as a fever, cough or headache, however, we recommend you bring your own medication (properly marked and packaged) if you have been using a certain drug back home.
Other:
You may also bring cultural items or music from home to share with other students in cultural programs and activities. It would be very useful to have your native attire to wear on special occasions.
Bringing in food items is restricted by law, please make sure that these items are not prohibited to bring out from your country or bring in to the United States. Please go to the website of the Customs and Border Protection for more information (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml).

Things Not To Bring
Prohibited Food from home (See the section of “Other” above)
Large amounts of cash There are many cash cards available to load money on and there are pretty safe.
Unmarked Medicine
Too much Clothing