International Student Guide | The Daily Illini

Turn to intramural sports to easily make friends

By Cole Henke, Sports editor

August 24, 2017

Traveling to a new country and attending a new university can be really tough. Take it from somebody who’s done it before. I spent last spring semester studying abroad in Australia, and I was the only person from the University of Illinois at my new university. I knew absolutely nobody. Half of...

What to do when you have a problem with…

By Jessica Bursztynsky, News editor

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

Whether it’s your first time living away from home or not, there’s something about the University system that adds a bit of pressure to life. And in times of stress, there’s always someone on campus who is willing (and usually trained) to help. ...housing So you’re having troubles with a r...

Best places to eat on campus

By Jessica Berbey, Assistant daytime editor

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

Being away from home for the first time can be a daunting experience as is, but for many students who face the reality of not being able to travel home as frequently as others, homesickness tends to kick in a lot faster. Although home-cooked meals seem out of the question, especially if living in the dor...

How to get around campus on public transportation

By Lillian Barkley, Editor-in-Chief

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

Navigating the University’s campus can seem like a daunting task. The campus takes up 1,783 acres, and the buildings are sprawled over three quads. This doesn’t even include the broader scope of Champaign and Urbana. If you don’t have a car on campus — or don’t want to deal with daily traffic...

Get familiar with the laws of Champaign-Urbana

By Elani Kaufman, Assistant buzz editor

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

I want to give the warmest welcome to you, the incoming class of 2021. The next four years will be filled with unforgettable memories and friendships on top of a world-class education. Coming in to a new environment can be intimidating for anyone, especially coming from another country. With that said...

Top 7 places to visit in Illinois in 2017

By Meral Aycicek

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

For those new to the state of Illinois, campus may feel like it's alone in the middle of a cornfield. Never fear, there are many places to visit in Illinois if you have time over a long weekend or a break. Here are seven, listed in order of proximity to campus. Allerton Park & Retreat Center (27...

Tailgating 101: What you need to know

By Tatiania Perry, Assistant sports editor

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

While the football players are busy with their pre-game rituals, the fans participate in one of their own: a process known as tailgating. Tailgating is essentially when a group of fans make food and often drink a lot of beer in the parking lot of a stadium, which in our case is Memorial Stadium. Although...

3 local festivals you need to attend this year

By Jess Peterson, Buzz editor

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

Coming to school at the University of Illinois provides students with a unique campus culture, smack dab in central Illinois. You’ll meet people from all over the world, be able to dine in a variety of restaurants and participate in a multitude of events hosted by the University and students on camp...

Traditions at the University of Illinois

By Andrea Flores, Longform editor

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

It's no surprise that in the past 151 years, the University developed many traditions. When I came to Champaign two years ago, I was a little intimidated by all of the history and traditions. I felt like as a freshman; I was behind on what I needed to know. Now that I've figured it out, I'd like to...

Staying around campus for the holiday breaks

By Jess Peterson, buzz editor

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

A standard academic year at the University of Illinois covers a lot of ground, seasonally speaking that is. Students arrive to campus in the sweltering central Illinois heat, some with the dismay of encountering true Midwestern humidity without any air conditioning. This is an excellent time to bond wi...

Get to know University Housing’s dining halls

By Cindy Om, Assistant design editor

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

If you have a meal plan, there are six University locations to eat at. This includes Busey-Evans, LAR, FAR, PAR, ISR and the Ike. Each dining hall is a buffet style, and you can use a classic meal credit, cafe credits or a credit card to pay. Where to go depends on preference, location and hours. Busey-Evans,...

Fulfill shopping cravings at local stores

By Courtney Boyer, Opinions editor

August 24, 2017

Filed under International Student Guide, Special Sections

Campustown and the surrounding downtowns of Champaign and Urbana are full of cute shops that will fulfill all of your shopping cravings. Whether it be clothes, books, knick-knacks or anything in between, there are places not too far off campus that are worth checking out. When you are wondering where...