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!

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

Spring 2025 Program Information 

All new graduate and undergraduate students must attend the in-person International Student Orientation.

International Student Orientations will occur on Wednesday, January 08, and Thursday, January 09 beginning at 9:00 am. 

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, January 06, 2025. OISS will help you get to EIU's campus for those who follow the directions in the Spring 2025 Arrival Assistance & Orientation Handbook (Updated October 2024). If you travel on your own, you are assuming the responsibility of arriving on campus on time. 

Orientation for Spring 2025 will be offered in two parts: 

• Face-to-face orientation is scheduled for January 08 & 09: 

• The Spring 2025 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.    

Spring 2025 classes will begin on Monday, January 13, 2025. 

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.

• 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 - January 06 - 09, 2025 
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 Spring 2025 Arrival Form located on your MyEIU Checklist.

If you will be living on campus, you will be able to move into your assigned room/space on January 09, 2025.

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.

• Welcome Information
• Immunizations & Health Services requirements
• Spring 2025 Arrival Assistance & Orientation Handbook
• SEVIS Compulsory Check-in with EIU Office of International Students & Scholars
• New Student & Family Programs - while international students go through International Student Orientation with OISS, you can find many programs and resources available through NSFP. 
• Learning how to properly maintain your immigration status
• Finalizing your class schedule 
• Opening a US bank account - W8
• Finalizing your campus or off-campus housing
• Buying personal supplies to set up your residence hall room or apartment 
• Getting your Panther Card
• Completing and submitting your required immunization documentation 

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 must 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.

Spring 2025 International Student Activities 

OISS will offer optional activities during the Spring 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 provided later. 

Questions? 

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

We will see you soon!