EIU Office of International Students and Scholars

 International Student Orientation

Welcome to EIU, Charleston, and the United States – we’re so excited that you’re here!

Your success at Eastern Illinois University is determined not only by the quality of your academic work but also by how quickly you connect to the campus. To assist you in your transition, EIU requires you to participate in Orientation and Welcome Weekend - our three-part process to becoming an official EIU student.

International students stand in front of Blair Hall after the 2024 Homecoming parade.

Part 1: Online Modules

Once you’ve submitted your visa information, you’ll be given access to a series of online modules that will help start your EIU journey even before you arrive in the United States.  The modules will contain a series of short videos about planning your arrival to the United States, campus resources, and adjusting to life in another country.  You’ll have access to these modules throughout your entire time at EIU, so you can go back and refer to the information as needed.

Part 2: International Orientation

EIU hosts an Orientation specifically for our newest international students.  Continuing your education in another country is a major transition, and we want to make sure we’re helping you be successful.  You might be asking yourself, “What is Orientation?” We’re glad you asked.  Orientation is the process of helping new students get welcomed and acclimated to campus so that they can start their EIU journey off on the right foot.  It is 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.  

Orientation is required for all new international students who are F-1 and J-1 visa holders.

Registering for a program

Once you have submitted your visa information, you can sign up for an Orientation date through MyEIU. You will receive an email inviting you to register for Orientation. The invitation will contain a program reservation link to MyEIU. Students will need to complete the reservation form online to secure a program date.

Students Entering Summer or Fall 2025

August 19-20 (Graduate Students)
August 19-21 (Undergraduate Students)

*Please plan on arriving on campus before August 19^th.  Orientation is required for all new international students who are F-1 and J-1 visa holders.

Part 3: Welcome Weekend

All new undergraduate students must participate in EIU's Welcome Weekend before the Fall semester. Students enrolling in Fall 2025, you will participate in Welcome Weekend from Friday, August 22, through Sunday, August 24, 2025. You can learn more about Welcome Weekend by clicking Here.

Housing Upon Arrival

All Eastern Illinois University students are required to live in University residence halls for the first two years after high school graduation.  This includes transfer students (under the age of 20 as of the first day of enrollment) with less than 48 credit hours earned after high school graduation.  Dual-credit courses do not count toward this number.  A Residency Exemption Request Form must be submitted for approval if the student meets one or more of the following exceptions:

1. The student is married, as verified with a certified copy of the marriage license or civil union certificate.

2. The student has attained their 21st birthday before the beginning of the semester for which enrollment is sought, as verified with EIU records.

3. The student plans to live at home with a parent or legal guardian who resides within a 50-mile radius, as verified with a notarized Residency Examption Request Form.

4. The student requires special housing that cannot be provided by University Housing & Dining Services, as verified by a statement from their attending physician and approved by an EIU physician, because of medical necessity.

The Residency Exemption Request Form will be available in the student's Housing Portal, accessible through MyEIU.

• On-campus housing: Please visit the EIU Housing website at https://www.eiu.edu/housing/international.php

• Off-campus options: Can be located through a Google search using the terms "apartments in Charleston, Illinois".

Temporary Accommodations – Beginning August 18 
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 2025 Arrival Form located on your MyEIU Checklist and let us know if you will need temporary accommodations.

If you will be living on campus and you have been assigned a room, you will be able to move into your assigned room/space on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Getting to Campus from O’Hare International Airport

We recommend flying into Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).  EIU will offer free pickups from the Amtrak Station in Mattoon, IL, beginning Sunday, August 17^th.  Below are the steps to take to get from the airport to Mattoon.

OPTION #1 - Chicago Transit System-Union Station-Mattoon Amtrak Station (This option is the least expensive but takes the longest time.)

1. Most of you will arrive at Terminal 5. From that terminal, you must ride the Airport Transit System (ATS) to Terminal 3.  Once in the terminals, follow “Trains to City” on overhead signs as you walk through the pedestrian tunnel to reach the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) station.  This should take about 15 minutes.
2. Once at the CTA station, purchase a single-ride ticket for $2.50 from the farecard machines using cash, debit, or credit cards. Pay your fare and pass through the turnstiles to the boarding platform.  Take any train and travel to the Clinton station on the Blue Line (O’Hare-Forest Park).  The travel time from O’Hare to Clinton is 46 minutes; trains run every 5-10 minutes daily.
3. Next, you need to get from the Clinton station to Union Station. Union Station is located two blocks (300 m) north of the Clinton Station.  Take the escalator up and walk north along Clinton (there is a sign pointing in the direction of Union Station at the exit from the Clinton station).  You will see an entrance to Union Station near the intersection with Jackson.  The entire walk takes about 5 minutes.
4. Once at Union Station, purchase a one-way ticket to Mattoon, Illinois. Ticket prices range from $25 to $120.  Trains depart Union Station at 8:15 am, 4:05 pm, and 8:05 pm.  The trip takes a little over 3 hours.
5. You’re almost here! As you leave the Amtrak station and head outside, EIU’s representatives will be on hand to greet you and help you with your luggage.  The drive to campus will take approximately 15 minutes.

OPTION #2 - Uber or Lyft-Union Station-Mattoon Amtrak Station (This option takes less time but is the most expensive)

1. Most of you will arrive at Terminal 5. From that terminal, you must ride the Airport Transit System (ATS) to Terminal 2. 
2. The loading zone in Terminal 2 is in the waiting area on the Upper Level between Door 2A and Door 2E.

• BLACK Zone A - Outside North of vestibule 2A
• BLUE Zone B - Outside vestibule 2A
• ORANGE Zone C- Outside vestibule 2B
• GREEN Zone D - Outside vestibule 2E

3. Passengers should wait in the specific colored zones until their car arrives in the same colored zone before proceeding to the designated pickup location.
4. Direct your driver to Union Station. Fares between O’Hare and Union Station are usually $50-$100, depending on traffic and time of day.
5. Once at Union Station, purchase a one-way ticket to Mattoon, Illinois. Ticket prices range from $25 to $120.  Trains depart Union Station at 8:15 am, 4:05 pm, and 8:05 pm.  The trip takes a little over 3 hours. 
6. You’re almost here! As you leave the Amtrak station and head outside, EIU’s representatives will be on hand to greet you and help you with your luggage.  The drive to campus will take approximately 15 minutes.

*If you purchase an Amtrak ticket in advance, select a departure time 2-3 hours after your flight arrival time in case of any delays.

CTA Rail Map

Downtown Chicago Map

OPTION #3 - Arrange your own transportation to EIU's campus.

International Student Checklist

Before Orientation

• Complete the Fall 2025 Arrival Form located in your MyEIU checklist.  This form is required.
• Complete the online modules.
• Register for an Orientation program 
• Registration can be accessed through MyEIU.
• Meet with your academic advisor virtually over Zoom or in person at Orientation. Students who choose to be advised over Zoom will receive an email from their advisor to schedule a meeting before their Orientation date and must respond to that email within 24 hours.  Please note that there is an extremely limited number of in-person advising appointments on each Orientation day.
• Submit your photo for your Panther Card through MyEIU.  You'll receive an email with instructions for completing this step, so please be sure to check your email frequently.  You’ll receive your Panther Card at Orientation.
• Submit an official copy of your final transcripts if you need to do so.
• Apply for Housing, if required. If you aren’t sure whether you need to live on or off campus, please contact the Housing Office via email at housing@eiu.edu.  If you sign a lease for off-campus housing, you may lose money if the university determines that you are required to live on campus.
• Pay the Housing down payment at MyEIU.
• Submit the Immunization Record Form to the Medical Clinic by August 1 (fall semester), December 15 (spring semester), and May 1 (summer semester).
• Check your EIU email regularly for updates. This is the primary way EIU will contact you, so you will want to check it regularly for important updates and news.

After Orientation

• Make plans to attend Welcome Weekend, August 22-24.  Welcome Weekend is required for all new undergraduate students.
• Check your Panther Mail.  We'll be sending information regarding Welcome Weekend, and we don't want you to miss anything!  Instructions for accessing your Panther Mail can be found Here.
• Refer to Housing's lists of what to bring and what should be left at home Here.
• Get your books from Textbook Rental Service.  More information about Textbook Rental can be found Here.
• Complete AlcoholEDU for College, Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergrads, and Mental Well-Being for Students. These programs will open during the third week of classes. Please check your PantherMail for details on logging in and due dates. 

International Student Check-in Upon Arrival

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 2025 International Student Activities 

OISS will offer optional activities during the Fall 2025 semester, including social events, workshops, and information sessions to help incoming international students get settled and meet new friends. More details about these events will be posted later. 

Questions? 

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

We will see you soon! 

Office of International Students and Scholars  (OISS)