Building Community
Come together with fellow international students, scholars, employees and their dependents to experience community at casual social gatherings, educational cultural events and outings where we collectively explore Chicago institutions and Midwestern traditions. Most events are free for members of the UIC international community.
Register for upcoming events
Virtual Programs Heading link
Connection and community have taken on new importance in the age of COVID-19. Virtual programs have allowed us to continue connecting and learning, even when we cannot physically be together.
OIS Coffee Hours Heading link
OIS Coffee Hours occur multiple times a year and are a great way to connect with the UIC international community and your OIS Advisors in a fun and casual way. Stop by for a hot beverage and a sweet treat and stay for a chat or advising session. During the OIS Holiday Coffee Hour in December, attendees can enter to win a raffle prize! Registration is not required to attend and family are warmly welcomed. We hope to see you at the next OIS Coffee Hour!
Pumpkin Farm Trip Heading link
For many Midwesterners, fall is a season to be outdoors, celebrate the harvest and kick off a holiday season which begins with Halloween at the end of the month. Each year, OIS organizes a trip to a local farm where members of the UIC international community can experience some of the traditions of the season, including pumpkin picking, navigating a corn maze, creeping through a haunted house, hay rides and tasting fresh apple cider.
The 2022 OIS Pumpkin Farm Trip is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 15!
Federal Reserve Trip Heading link
Chicago is home to one of the twelve regional Reserve Banks across the country that, together with the Board of Governors in Washington D.C., serves as the central bank for the United States. Each semester, OIS leads a trip to Chicago’s Federal Reserve Bank for a guided tour of their interactive Money Museum.
Chicago Auto Show Heading link
The Chicago Auto Show has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent and is the nation’s largest with more than one million square feet of displays. Each year, OIS organizes free transportation to McCormick Place and admission to the exposition for members of the UIC international community. This event is a favorite of engineering students and car enthusiasts alike!
The 2023 OIS Outing to the Chicago Auto Show is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16!