International Student Resources

Academic and Career Resources

International Student Services

The advisors in International Admissions at Parkland College are ready to help you through every step of the admissions process, from applying through orientation. We work with international students one-on-one via email, phone, Skype, and more to make the process of becoming a student here as simple as possible. We can help you with immigration, visa, and F1 status questions as well.

English as a Second Language

Parkland's ESL classes are designed with your success in mind. Our classes average 12 to 14 international students, allowing for extensive interaction with instructors. Our teachers will help identify skills needing improvement, develop a learning program, chart progress in specific skill areas, and prepare you for successful interaction in an American college environment. For refugees and immigrants not studying on a visa, Parkland Adult Education offers free ESL classes. There are general classes and those that work on English communication in particular career pathways, like English for Certified Nursing Assistants

Project READ

Project READ provides free tutoring to adults seeking to improve their reading, writing, math and/or ESL skills. Tutors are volunteers who meet learners at public places around Champaign-Urbana. Email: Project READ

Career Services

Whether you are a student choosing a college major or are a dislocated worker, career changer, or retiree, we have career resources and services designed to assist you. 


Student Organizations

Student Life maintains a list of student organizations that are currently active, as well as ones that have existed in the past but have become inactive. If you do not find one that meets your interests, contact Student Life for information on starting a new one.

International Student Association Group photo

two students at ISA fashion show

International Students Association

The International Students Association is designed to promote social and friendship opportunities to the international student community at Parkland College. ISA hosts events such as an international fashion show each year. All students are welcome to come have fun with us!

Meetings: Every Thursday at noon, email for the Zoom link 

Email: International Students Association

Club Latino

Club Latino is for those who want to serve their community, learn about Hispanic/Latino culture, and have fun. We spend our time doing service activities, kick-back activities, and having club meetings where we discuss what we want to do next. Join us!

Meetings: Email Club Latino for the schedule and Zoom link

Email: Club Latino 

German Club

German Club is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about the German-speaking countries of Europe and/or learning and speaking German. No knowledge of German is required! Come join us for lunch and language (English and German).

Email:  German Club

Japanese Culture Club

Explore common interests in Japanese culture and experiences along with students of the Japanese language. Japanese Culture Club provides opportunities for Parkland students to have fun learning about Japanese art forms, history, language, food, and more.

Email: Japanese Culture Club 

Community Resources

ESL Resources in Champaign-Urbana

List of local ESL resources such as ESL classes, tutoring, and conversation groups. List maintained by the University YMCA.

Religious Organizations

List of religious organizations that includes non-Christian services in Champaign County, as well as Christian churches in Champaign-Urbana that offer services in languages other than English. List maintained by Visit Champaign County.

African Cultural Association

The African Cultural Association is a student organization at the University of Illinois. Its mission is to educate and uplift students and community members by providing fun, educational events and programs that allow people to learn about African culture and practices. 

Chinese American Association of Central Illinois

The Chinese American Association of Central Illinois (CAACI) is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization for Chinese Americans and their friends in Central Illinois. Its goal is to engage in cultural, educational and social activities, to help members play a more active role in the community and to promote the well being of Chinese and Chinese Americans of the area.

Japan House

Japan House logoJapan House is a unit of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, made up of Japanese tea rooms and class space and surrounded by Japanese gardens. It has both University classes for academic credit, as well as community classes open to the general public. Although it is not a cultural center for Japanese students, it often becomes a home away from home to Asian students because of its traditional stylings and peaceful environment.

The Spurlock Museum of World Cultures

The Spurlock Museum celebrates our shared humanity by collecting, preserving, documenting, exhibiting, and studying objects of cultural heritage. The Museum's primary function is education in service to students, scholarly communities, and the general public, interpreting the diversity of cultures through time and across the globe. Its collections constitute a public trust to be responsibly maintained for future generations as a permanent record of the cultural world.  

Immigration Project logo

The Immigration Project

Providing nonprofit immigration legal services in central and southern Illinois, the Immigration Project endeavors to provide access to justice for immigrants and their families through immigration-related legal and educational services to immigrants, refugees, their families, and others in downstate Illinois.


Refugee Center logoThe Refugee Center

The Refugee Center exists to provide services essential to refugee and immigrant resettlement in east central Illinois and to aid in the exchange and preservation of their respective cultures.