It can be difficult to leave your family and friends behind to live in another country. However, most international students make new friends through activities, clubs, and organizations on campus. Explore some of the many ways in which you can get involved on campus. The Visit Springfield Illinois website also has excellent information on great restaurants, sites and attractions, arts, culture, history, shopping, and the Illinois Times is a great resource local upcoming events! You can visit Outdoors Adventures website for more fun as well!
Events
Fall 2024 events, activities, and workshops:
| Date | time | Event/Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, August 21 | 10 AM –11:30 AM | New International Student Orientation | Sangamon Auditorium |
| Wednesday, August 21 | 12 PM –2 PM | New Student Immigration Check-in | Computer labs in UHB & HSB |
| Wednesday, August 21 | 1 PM –3 PM | PNC Bank Session | PAC main lobby |
| Thursday, August 22 | New student shopping as requested | ||
| Friday, August 23 | New student shopping as requested | ||
| Friday, August 30 | 5 - 7 PM | International Student Welcome Party | Union Ballroom |
| Friday, September 6 | 2 PM – 4 PM | OPT Workshop Fall 2024 graduates | Brookens Auditorium (tentatively) |
| Friday, September 20 | TBA | Mid-Autumn Festival | Union Ballroom |
| Friday, September 27 | 9AM | Allerton Park | Monticello, Illinois |
| Friday, October 4 | 2PM | OPT Workshop | Brookens Auditorium |
| Saturday, October 5 | 11:30AM | Bomke's Pumpkin Patch Harvest Festival | Springfield, Illinois |
| Saturday, October 19 | 1 – 4 PM | The 46th International Festival | TRAC |
| Friday, October 25 | TBA | Hiking at Starved Rock State Park | Oglesby, Illinois |
| Friday, November 1 | TBA | Carter Brothers Haunted Hay Ride | Sherman, Illinois |
| Friday, November 8 | 2PM | OPT Workshop for Spring 2025 graduates | Brookens Auditorium |
| Friday, November 15 | 9AM | American History Trip | St. Louis, Missouri |
| November 18 – November 22 | International Education Week | ||
| Monday, November 18 | 12PM - 4PM | IEW 2024 Kick-Off (with international snacks) | Union North Entrance Tables |
| Friday, November 22 | 12 PM – 1PM | Thanksgiving Luncheon | Union Ballroom |
*TBA= To Be Announced
Holidays
International Education
Local Organizations Supporting International Education
- Chicago Council on Global Affairs
- Indian Association of Greater Springfield
- Interfaith Coalition
- Islamic Society of Greater Springfield
- NPR Illinois
- Peoria World Affairs Council
- Sister Cities Association of Springfield, Illinois
- Springfield Commission on International Visitors
- The Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield
- World Affairs Council of Central Illinois
- World Business Chicago
Newsletters
- November Newsletter 2024 (PDF)
- October Newsletter 2024 (PDF)
- May Newsletter 2024 (PDF)
- April Newsletter 2024 (PDF)
- March Newsletter 2024 (PDF)
- February Newsletter 2024 (PDF)
- January Newsletter 2024 (PDF)
- December Newsletter 2023 (PDF)
- November Newsletter 2023 (PDF)
- October Newsletter 2023 (PDF)
- September Newsletter 2023 (PDF)
- August Newsletter 2023 (PDF)
- July Newsletter 2023 (PDF)
- June Newsletter 2023 (PDF)
If you have any questions about the events, please contact:
Erika Suzuki, Program Coordinator
217-206-8164
esuzu2@uis.edu