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EIU Office of International Students and Scholars

 

 International Student Orientation

 

Welcome to EIU, Charleston, and the United States!

Eastern Illinois University hosts an International Student Orientation (ISO) and several welcome events for incoming international students. These informative, fun, and interactive programs cover a variety of topics that will help you meet new friends and learn about EIU!

 

Orientation Spring 2019
New International Students Stand by EIU's Booth Library with International Student Ambassadors.

 

Fall 2024 Program Information 

All new graduate and undergraduate students must attend the in-person International Student Orientation. International Student Orientations will take place on Tuesday, August 13, Wednesday, August 14, and Thursday, August 15 from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. 

* Please note that the sessions on Tuesday, August 13, and Thursday, August 15 are identical, and students will need to attend only one.

These sessions are designed to address the most common questions and concerns that international students have as well as cover important information such as immigration regulations about your visa, academic expectations, and cultural adjustment. 

Plan to arrive in the United States on or before Monday, August 12, 2024. OISS will help you get to EIU's campus for those who follow the directions in the Fall 2024 Arrival Assistance & Orientation Handbook (Updated March 2024). If you travel on your own, you are assuming the responsibility of arriving on campus on time. 

Orientation for Fall 2024 will be offered in two parts: 

  • Face-to-face orientation is scheduled for August 13, 14 & 15: 
    • Note: Orientations on August 13 & 15 are identical. 
  • The Fall 2024 Orientation schedule will be available soon. 
  • Online Orientation through D2L (Learning Management System) - New, incoming students will be enrolled in the International Student Orientation D2L course.    

Fall 2024 classes will begin on Monday, August 19, 2024. 

 

Housing Upon Arrival

All First-Year undergraduate students are required to live in the residence halls during their first year.  This includes all students with less than 30 college credits earned after high school graduation.

Temporary Accommodations - August 11 - 16, 2024 
At this time, we can provide some temporary accommodations to students who already have a visa - this is limited to a shared room (with a roommate) in a University residence hall. Please complete the Fall 2024 Arrival Form located on your MyEIU Checklist. If you will be living on campus, you will be able to move right away into your assigned room/space upon arrival at Eastern Illinois University from August 11 - 16, 2024.

Email international@eiu.edu if you need assistance.

 

Pre-Arrival & International Student Orientation

There are several tasks that you should complete before you arrive on campus. Once you arrive, however, OISS hosts International Student Orientation which helps you get settled and take care of important items before the academic year begins.

 

All F-1 and J-1 visa holders, including new students and those returning to EIU after a leave of absence, are required to complete International Student Orientation. All other U.S. visa holders, permanent residents, U.S. citizens who grew up abroad, parents, and spouses are also invited to attend Orientation, but they will need to contact international@eiu.edu for more information. 

Visit MyEIU for more required tasks before the start of classes.

Here is a map of popular locations on campus.


Immigration Check-In 

All F-1 and J-1 students are REQUIRED to check in at the Office of International Students & Scholars during International Student Orientation or within 5 days of your arrival on campus. This is required by U.S. federal law

If you do not comply with U.S. immigration regulations, you will have a registration hold placed on your record, which means you will not be able to register for classes. Further instructions will be provided to you. 

Check-in requirements: 

  • I-20 or DS-2019 
  • Biographical page of passport 
  • I-94 
  • F-1 or J-1 visa stamp 
  • Be ready to provide a complete US address.

  

Fall 2024 International Student Activities 

OISS will offer optional activities during the Fall 2024 semester, including social events, workshops, and information sessions to help incoming international students get settled and meet new friends. More details will be posted about these events in April. 

 

Questions? 

If you have any questions, you may contact us at international@eiu.edu or +1 (217) 581-2321. 

We will see you soon! 

 

Related Pages

Contact Information

Office of International Students and Scholars

2138 Blair Hall
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, Illinois
61920-3099 USA
+001(217)581-2321
international@eiu.edu


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