# Life as an International Student

**Source**: https://isss.illinois.edu/students/life-as-international/
**Parent**: https://isss.illinois.edu/

There is a lot know when you first arrive on campus. We hope that this page will help you adjust to the university and Champaign-Urbana!

## Your Immigration Status

As an international student, [maintaining your immigration status](https://isss.illinois.edu/students/f1j1-nonimmstatus/) is your responsibility, including:

- Keep your passport current.
- Update your residential address in [iSTART](https://sunapsis.illinois.edu/) no more than 10 days after you move.
- Do not let your immigration documents (I-94 and I-20 or DS-2019) expire.
- Inform ISSS if you wish to change your department or degree level.
- [Maintain a full-time course load (12 credit hours in most cases).](https://isss.illinois.edu/students/f1j1-nonimmstatus/full-course-of-study/)
- Request official permission to accept work outside of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- Make sure that [all travel documents are in order](https://isss.illinois.edu/students/f1j1-travel/) before taking any trip outside the U.S.
- Comply with applicable U.S. federal taxation laws and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements
- Complete an employment authorization form (I-9) in your hiring department if you will receive a university paycheck.
- Do not work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.
- Be aware of immigration law. Never seek advice from a friend; ask ISSS if you are in doubt.

### Record Keeping

Please keep all previously issued immigration documents, you may need them again if trying to change to another status in the US or applying for work authorization.

Academics 

- [Academics](https://illinois.edu/academics/academics.html)
- [Undergraduate Academic Advising](https://explore.illinois.edu/academic-advising)
- [Graduate Mentoring](https://www.grad.illinois.edu/grad-student-life/mentoring)
- [Writer’s Workshop](https://writersworkshop.illinois.edu/)

### Office Hours

Time allotted by Professors or Teaching assistants for students to come to their office and address questions about the course.

Activities and Recreation 

- [ISSS Connection (events and programs)](https://isss.illinois.edu/training-programs/events-programs/)
- [Registered Student Organizations](https://isss.illinois.edu/training-programs/rso/)
- [Volunteering](https://isss.illinois.edu/training-programs/ihc/)

### Sports

- [Athletics](https://illinois.edu/athletics/)
- [Club Sports](http://www.campusrec.illinois.edu/clubsports/)
- [Intramurals](https://campusrec.illinois.edu/activities/intramurals)
- [Campus Recreation](http://www.campusrec.illinois.edu/)

Cross-Cultural Opportunities 

- [ISSS Connection (events and programs)](https://isss.illinois.edu/training-programs/events-programs/)
- [International Hospitality Committee](https://isss.illinois.edu/training-programs/ihc/)
- [English Language Resources](https://isss.illinois.edu/resources/english/)

### J-1 Visitors

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was created by the Department of State for the purpose of “building mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries” through cultural exchange between the United States and other nations. Please review the following Department of State publications which provide additional information about the J program, as well as the rights of individuals participating in J programs.

- [Exchange Visitor website](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange.html)
- [Wilberforce Pamphlet](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/temporary-workers.html)

Campus Services 

- [Counseling Center](https://www.counselingcenter.illinois.edu/)
- [McKinley Health Center](https://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/)
- [Student Health Insurance](http://si.illinois.edu)

Employment 

- [F-1 Employment Options](https://isss.illinois.edu/students/employment/f1-employment/)
- [J-1 Employment Options](https://isss.illinois.edu/students/employment/j1-employment/)

### On-Campus work

F-1 and J-1 students can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. You may work 40 hours per week on campus during the Summer semester (provided it is not your first or last semester), and during scheduled campus breaks.

### Assistantships and Tuition Waivers

F-1 and J-1 students can work up to a 50% assistantship while school is in session – 20 hours per week. Usually a 25-50% assistantship comes with a full tuition waiver. Please consult with your department for additional information regarding assistantships.

### Pay Periods and the “Work Week”

For scheduled pay periods for university employment, see the [Business and Finance website](https://www.busfin.uillinois.edu/)‘s [Payroll and Benefits page](https://www.busfin.uillinois.edu/paying_people/payroll__benefits). The “work week” is calculated from Sunday through Saturday, so you will need to keep track of your time with that in mind.

### I-9 Forms

Please make sure that you will out this form with your hiring department before you start work. Form I-94 will be needed – paper Form I-94 (front and back) OR Electronic Form I-94 found on the official [I-94 website](https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home).

Transportation 

It is possible to live in this area without owning a car. Visit the [Public Transportation page](https://isss.illinois.edu/resources/public-transportation/) for all transit options.

### Bicycle Riding

- [Campus Bike Center](https://campusrec.illinois.edu/facilities/campus-bike-center)

Managing Your Finances 

- [Paying Tuition and Fees](https://paymybill.uillinois.edu/)
- [Payment Plans](https://paymybill.uillinois.edu/payments/PaymentPlan)
- [Money Management](https://osfa.illinois.edu/resources/money-management/)
- [Currency Exchange Rates](https://www.xe.com/)

Life in Champaign-Urbana 

- [Food and Drink](https://experiencecu.org/things-to-do/food-and-drink)
- [Shopping](https://experiencecu.org/things-to-do/shopping)
- [Music and Entertainment](https://experiencecu.org/things-to-do/music-and-entertainment)
- [Sports and Recreation](https://experiencecu.org/things-to-do/sports-and-recreation)