The IEI has been having lots of fun this semester, especially with our four interns Emily, Justin, Luke, and Rebekah! The Welcoming Picnic got cancelled because of rain (TWICE!), but we still have had lots of great memories so far! At the beginning of the semester, we started taking new students on more shopping trips than ever before (going to the mall, Prospect Ave, and the new County Market grocery store on campus). We've taken two out-of-town trips, one to Chicago and one to Allerton Park. We also had our first-ever American Cooking Night at the Asian American Cultural Center. Our Activities Coordinator, Natalie Mullen, and all of the interns taught 50+ students how to make yummy, easy, and cheap American food! Sports are also becoming a popular IEI Activity. Our intern Justin has organized an Intramural Soccer Team for the IEI (11 men from the IEI are on the team as well as other Americans). They play games with other U of I students each Sunday.

 

Speaking of IEI students mingling with other U of I students, several student organizations from the university are becoming interested in the IEI, and they've invited our students to do many fun things together, like a Pizza Crawl with the group Brothers and Sisters in Christ, a Labor Day Picnic with International Student Connections, and two bonfires/cook-outs (one with Bridges, Int. and one with C-U Internationals). The students are loving the opportunities to get to know other students on campus through these events!

 

In addition to many other fun activities, the IEI hopes to help its students continue the tradition of volunteering in the community. This semester students are volunteering their time at the Wesley Food Pantry (giving out food to needy families) and at the Crisis Nursery, where they will help take care of children. This fall semester, there seem to be more opportunities for students to get involved in the community and meet people than ever before in the IEI. We are excited to see our students take advantage of all of the activities so that they can do what they came here to do-- learn English!

 

Natalie Mullen - IEI Social Activities Coordinator