I moved from the UK to Washington DC for study abroad year in 2010. I'm currently hearing back from J-schools in the US, so I'll be making the move again (hopefully!) soon.
I found that taking a few suitcases and paying the extra baggage cost wasn't so bad. Plus, there is always a Target or similar megastore to buy basics. I also found that being free of most of my possessions, accept what I could fit in my suitcase, was very liberating.
Hope this helps, and good luck!