The deadline to register for the I-Buddy program at Illinois Tech is Sunday, June 15, 2014. The IIT International Center developed the I-Buddy program for current IIT students to help incoming international students prepare for and adjust to life at IIT and in the United States. Current students do not need to be from the United States. Anyone is welcome to act as a buddy as long as they have spent at least two semesters on campus.

Once accepted, IIT students will email their buddy/buddies over the summer to introduce themselves, and incoming students will have the chance to ask questions before they arrive on campus. Many questions will be about dorm life, extracurricular activities, getting around Chicago, and academic life. New students want to hear this information from someone who has been there, and there is no one better to help them than current students.

The International Center will provide students with contact information for campus offices to share with their buddy/buddies in case they are asked questions that are not in their area of expertise such as financial aid packages, immigration issues, etc. Participants will also be invited to attend various cultural events and get-togethers, though participation is not required.

Current IIT students interested in this program should register here by June 15. Buddies will be notified in early July via email. Email if you have any questions.

This event reflects the values expressed in IIT’s Diversity Statement and is intended to promote diversity at IIT.