University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

In which ways do you feel you are learning and growing?

I grew so much at the U of I! They offered several academic and extracurricular activities that shaped who I am today. It's an amazing atmosphere where you can connect and learn from people of all different backgrounds.

What tips can you share with prospective students?

Don't be afraid to try things out of your comfort zone. Some of the fun registered student organizations they offer might seem out of the box, but you can truly make some of your closest friends through these. Definitely check out all the booths on Quad Day to get a sense of everything!

What qualities do you have that have best prepared you for success at this institution?

Be open-minded with every class you have and with everyone you meet. You learn so much just by listening to those around you, and this is the perfect place to do it.

How would you describe the dorm life at this school?

I lived in the dorms for 3 years, and it was so much fun! I made most of my closest friends through dorm living, and it was a unique time in my life where you could always study or grab dinner with friends who lived in the same building as you.

The dorm I lived in had a Living Learning Community, where they even offered special classes to the residents. I took a photography while I was there, but I know they also offered language history, and pottery classes there. It was so special that they had a dark room and a pottery studio actually in the dorm!

How would you describe the food and dining options?

The food was good overall! It was nice getting to try different dining halls across campus. My friends and I liked to try different meal options because they often had special menus on various nights (for example, breakfast for dinner, soul food, vegan food, etc.). Many dining halls have food stations where you can customize your food, too. ISR's dining hall is top notch!

Loved the late-night options too!!

In your experience, what is there to do for fun at this college?

There's really something for everyone here. There's almost too much to get involved in, so you never have a shortage of things to do. I was involved in a lot of intramural sports teams, and there were a ton of specialized clubs and activities, even hosted by my dorm sometimes. The Cultural Houses on campus are amazing, and have events where you can learn a ton about different cultures while having great food. I even got to participate in a tea ceremony at the Japan House on campus!

Other than that, the school is located in Urbana-Champaign, which is an adorable city. It's easy to take the free public transportation off campus to explore cute coffee shops, stores, restaurants, and live music. In the fall, be sure to check out the huge pumpkin patch called Curtiss Orchard!

In what clubs or organiziations have you participated and how have they impacted your overall experience?

I played intramural volleyball, ultimate frisbee, spike ball. I was also involved in a faith-based club, and worked on-campus at the international student English institute. All these clubs really shaped my time here and I met some of my best friends while participating in these!