What students say about IEI
"I think that IEI at University of Illinois is a perfect place to study English and to live an unforgettable abroad experience."
I think that IEI at University of Illinois is a perfect place to study English and to live an unforgettable abroad experience. Academically, in IEI people can find an exceptional Institute to study a variety of English courses logically organized, in a perfect environment and with the best teachers. In my case, I took English classes with academic purposes for one semester, and I can say that classes were useful, nice and at the same time challenging. After being one semester, I feel I progressed a lot with my English and now I feel totally confident to interact in English in an academic or informal scenario. The English courses are well designed and IEI teachers always give their best to their students. They are very qualified and their teaching strategies are very effective. I really admire and appreciate these aspects about them. I also will never forget how big is the UIUC and how beautiful is its campus. I enjoyed so much its excellent facilities and resources such as the sport centers, the libraries, the Illini Union and the computer centers. Believe me, these places are amazing. For instance, the library system at UIUC is a beautiful dream for people who love the knowledge. In IEI I met nice and friendly people that help me a lot to improve my English and to know about interesting cultural aspects. I miss a lot my teachers, my classmates, my roommates and all the people I met there. I thank IEI for this incredible experience.
"I learned many ways how to communicate with foreigners, which I had never learned in my school days in Japan."
On the first day I joined the English program at the IEI, I could hardly communicate with class mates and even do shopping. But on the last day I left the IEI, I was surrounded with classmates and I was talking and laughing with them. At the IEI, I learned many ways how to communicate with foreigners, which I had never learned in my school days in Japan. I got these ways very easily and with fun because all teachers were specialists in teaching English. I had many friends from all over the world with same ambitious goals, who could use their improved English skills to make a difference in their lives. Thanks to the IEI, I became able to do many things such as making travel reservations, shopping, and attending the university classes in English by myself. And I enjoyed traveling to many places, including Mexico and Canada, and having conversations with locals in English. I strongly recommend you to come to UIUC at Champaign-Urbana and experience the IEI language classes!
"It's the best way to study English and an unforgettable and amazing experience..."
I studied in IEI last year and I can say that was a multicultural experience far beyond than just learning English. IEI is a place where we can make friends from everywhere and learn about their culture while we improve our English language skills and learn about American culture. It’s the best way to study English and an unforgettable and amazing experience that I will have for all my life. All instructors are really well prepared to give us the best of the English language. All activities are carefully organized to improve your English skills and transform your time here in a wonderful experience. Moreover, studying in IEI helped me to get a more enjoyable and comprehensive view of academic life in the United States and helped me a lot to get a great score in TOEFL. I recommend IEI for all my friends.
"I feel that The Intensive English Institute is one of the most effective and worthwhile English programs in the country."
Around six years ago, I came to the USA with tons of expectations, illusions, goals, and of course fears that were all worthy because I was following a dream: Learn English to improve my professional career. Coming to USA was a great idea that could have been a happy experience in any place, but coming to Champaign-Urbana and specifically to the IEI made it the best experience and it changed my life; it really did. There are different aspects of it that allow me to say that. One is the city and UIUC, another is the IEI itself and the last one is the people I met. Champaign-Urbana is a city that gives you a friendly sample of what living in USA can be. C-U are two small cities with great restaurants, wonderful theaters with unique shows and plays, good shopping areas, cozy coffee shops, and very efficient transportation systems. Since I got there I knew I was in the right place. UIUC is a University with great programs which usually attract smart and dedicated teachers and students. The university is also known by the great diversity of its students. I met people from so many countries that I never even though I would be able to meet in my entire life. Nowadays, after six years in USA and as a current language teacher, I feel that The Intensive English Institute I is one of the most effective and worthwhile English programs in the country. Not only because my own experience as a student who started from the lowest level ended up with a very happy ending, but also because of its teachers. They are always updated and use the most updated language teaching methodologies and techniques in the classrooms. Everybody at the IEI cares about you as a person as well. At the IEI, in addition of learning how to express myself better and communicate effectively, I learned how to appreciate other languages and cultures as well. At the IEI I met the most interesting, friendly and lovely people I couldn't had met anywhere else. They are still my best friends, believe it or not. Another crucial thing that the IEI gave me was all the necessary tools to be able to attend a graduate program in USA ; which I finished at UIUC in 2006. With all the knowledge and skills I acquired at the IEI plus my MA studies in teaching a second language at UIUC I decided to try teaching my own language to English native speakers. This is how today I teach Spanish to high school teenagers. IEI have been so important to me that some times I try to remember some of my experiences at the IEI to use them for my own teaching. I also try to teach them about my culture as they did, while I keep learning about American culture as well. I could not have been more fortunate: I am living in a place I like a lot, my network of people is bigger and better, my friends are friends for life, I enjoy what I do, it makes me happy! What else I can ask for…. And everything started at the IEI!!!!!
I am so lucky to have this opportunity to let the IEI know one more time how grateful I am to all of you that in any ways participated or contributed to help me being the person I am now… Thank you very much.
"IEI provides plenty of opportunities for all international students to take advantage of studying abroad both inside and outside classrooms."
I have numerous fond memories since I have been studying in the States. The best one is perhaps the very first time of my study attending in the Intensive English Institute (IEI) at the University of Illinois (UIUC). IEI provides plenty of opportunities for all international students to take advantage of studying abroad both inside and outside classrooms. In classes, since the ratio of teacher and students is quite low, all students have an opportunity to work closely with teachers. Meanwhile, students can learn from each other with different viewpoints. Outside classes, IEI has a special program called conversation partner, a one-by-one matchup with international students and local partners. I learned a lot about culture differences and American lifestyles. Practicing English, making new friends, and learning culture that is what IEI is all about. My goal was to get accepted in a business school in the US. I targeted the University of Illinois as the highest goal. My English proficiency increased surprisingly while I was attending in IEI. I gained more confidence using English in daily life and writing academically. Besides taking IEI classes, I had a chance to sit-in business lectures and doing some volunteer programs with UIUC students. No doubt, my fundamental language skills were built mainly from the course of training at IEI. I finally got accepted in the business school as I had hoped. I would not have reached to this point without attending in IEI.
"IEI was the gateway to my dream!"
It has been more than three years since I have left my Alma Mater (University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign). I have come to the United States with a dream of getting my PhD.. The language was my great obstacle. I remember the frustration on my first day at Urbana-Champaign when I could not order a “pizza”, because I came with almost no English. I had chosen IEI (Intensive English Institute) among many English institutes just following my “Personal Legend”. I did not know that time why I chose it. I had no previous ideas about it, but, maybe, I was lucky. IEI was the gateway to my dream! From the first month in the IEI, I felt the improvement. I realized that, little by little, my dream was becoming a reality. The IEI program was even more than I expected. It was not limited to teaching English as a language, but from its friendly staff I learned a lot about different cultures. The horizon was expanded to meet different people from different parts of the world whom became my friends. I have stayed in touch with most of them! What I liked the most is the character of the IEI staff, their support, encouragement, hard effort to see their student succeed, and their kind care about their students even after their graduation. As a result of my study in the IEI, I got admission at UIUC and received my Master’s degree from its College of Business. Now I am a PhD candidate in Economics at Oklahoma State University. Truly, my time at the IEI was the best time in my life, and I am so honored to have had that chance.
"I'm glad I chose the IEI! "
For someone who seriously wants to learn and improve his or her English, I can't think of a better place than IEI. IEI is a great English Institute with experienced and friendly staff, who crave to provide their students the best available education. I started taking courses in IEI because I needed to improve my academic skills in English in order to study in a college in the US and I honestly believe that I made an impressive progress. Event though I took only one semester of academic English courses in IEI, it felt like I was all equipped to be a successful student in any US college. IEI courses and the instructors gave me the confidence and the knowledge that I needed to pursue my goal. I'm currently going to a college in the US and I'm doing very well along with all native English speaker students. I'm amazed to see that even the simplest tips that I learned in IEI classes are still playing a crucial role in my academic success. Thank you IEI!
"I appreciate IEI program so much."
When I came to the U.S., I had problems because I could not speak English well and could not understand differences in between Korean and American culture. However, during the IEI course, I found that my English ability is improved. For example, I do not fear talking to Americans anymore. I can talk to my landlord about my housing problems. In the IEI course I learned all about U.S. Especially, I was able to understand U.S culture. I think there are many differences from your national culture. If you come to the U.S for the first time, you may be confused from culture shock. But don't worry about that! IEI programs will help you!