Activities & Services

The IEI offers many activities and services to its students to help them fully take advantage of living in the U.S. so they can reach their English language goals.

IEI services include an international student advisor, student services coordinator, interns (undergraduate student assistants), and access to almost all University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign student facilities, including the Health Center and Campus Recreation.

New Student Registration & Orientation

During new students’ first days at the IEI, orientation sessions and activities are offered including tours of the university campus and Champaign-Urbana, shopping trips, cultural activities, and a welcome party to meet all of the other IEI students and teachers.

Campus Services

I-Card

Each IEI student receives a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign student identification card. IEI students are eligible to use almost all of the facilities and services provided for university students. These include:

• Campus Recreation Facilities
• Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District buses
• Illini Union
• McKinley Health Services
• The Counseling Center
• The Career Center
• Off-Campus Community Living
• Student Legal Services
• University libraries
• University Computer labs

International Student Advising

The IEI’s international student advisor and student services coordinator are available to help students with questions about their academic progress, applying to American universities, life on campus, adjustments to life in the United States, immigration issues, and other concerns students might have. Learn more about International Student Advising.

Health Services

All IEI students must pay a student health service fee which lets them use the university’s McKinley Student Health Service for routine health care. Learn more about McKinley Health Center.

Activity Notifications

All students receive a weekly email about local events of interest coming up. In addition, students are emailed as other more immediate opportunities become known.

ConvoPartners Program

IEI students have the opportunity to be paired with a university student or community member volunteer for weekly casual English conversation and mutual cultural exchange.

Volunteer Program

Students are invited to volunteer throughout the year in the Urbana-Champaign community through volunteer events coordinated by the IEI interns. IEI volunteer events often include assisting Urbana-Champaign organizations that provide help for needy families, children, the elderly, and the environment. By participating in the IEI Volunteer Program, students learn more about American culture, meet new friends, use English in a practical way outside of the classroom, and become true members of the global community.

Other Activities

Class Activities

IEI teachers arrange social events for their classes outside of class such as playing volleyball, picnics, potlucks (a dinner where everyone brings food from their country), going to a movie, bowling, or ice skating.

Other Events

IEI interns plan various social activities for IEI students. These activities often include holiday parties, university sporting events, conversation groups, concerts, academic lectures, cooking lessons, dinners, and other American culture-centered events.