Look at pre-arrival information for Fall 2008.
Stephanie Gonzalez is the primary advisor for exchange students. She can assist you with a variety of academic, Immigration, cultural, billing, social, and housing matters both before and after you arrive. Please feel welcome to contact her at (309) 438-5276 or .
If you plan to attend Illinois State as an exchange student, and your university has an exchange agreement with ISU, you will want to talk to the International Office at your home university so they can help you apply. Below is an overview of what your application for admission to ISU must include, as well as other things to know about being an exchange student.
Exchange students may receive application forms from their international advisor at their home university or download an International Admission Application. When exchange students apply to Illinois State, there are a number of items you must submit. Read about How to Make Your Application Complete.
Exchange Student Advisor, , assists students with finding and registering for classes at Illinois State. The following links explain about course selection and registration:
Exchange students, like other international students in the United States, must be aware of Immigration laws that apply to their visa type (the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa). Below you may read about these rules, and about how to apply for your visa.
The U.S. Department of State requires all exchange visitors to have specific types of health insurance during their stay in the U.S. These terms are outlined here in the following links:
The International Studies Office reserves spaces for exchange students to live on campus in our International House. I-House occupies several floors in Atkin-Colby residence halls and offers a variety of social and cultural programs and activities to enrich students' experiences at Illinois State. When possible, we try to place international students in rooms with American students. This helps to enhance students' opportunities to practice English and of course, give them the chance to become better acquainted with American culture. We also match students together from different countries. Read what the University's Housing Office also has to say about International House!
The following links present more information about university services and facilities:
After the end of each semester, the International Studies Office will mail exchange students’ academic transcripts (grades) to their home university's International Office. It is a university policy that we may not order a student's transcripts until he or she has paid everything owed to ISU. Therefore, students must have $0 balances by the end of each semester to have their grades mailed overseas in a timely manner.
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires that students prove enough funding to pay for all expenses while studying in the United States. Students will be mailed a budget sheet (depending on their exchange agreement type) in their pre-arrival packet before they come to Illinois State. While actual costs have not yet been determined, the budget should provide a reasonable estimation of the funds that students will need. If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Gonzalez in International Studies.
In the week right before classes start each semester, the International Studies Office provides a week of Orientation programming and activities for all new students to ISU. This is an important part of starting your life at ISU. Learn more about Orientation Week.
The following links can help you learn more about the community, where to stay if you need a hotel, and how to find your way around campus.
© 2008 Illinois State University • An equal opportunity/affirmative action university encouraging diversity.• Privacy Statement • Office of International Studies and Programs • Campus Box 6120 • (309) 438-5276 • Mail comments to:
