For International Students

If you have questions about immigration, student visas, or travel, start with the U-M International Center. U-M's English Language Institute offers English-language clinics to help international graduate students with their professional speaking and writing skills. Both the Master of Science program and the Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability are STEM-designated, which allows international graduates to apply for the Department of Homeland Security’s optional practical training (OPT) extension program for F-1 students with STEM degrees. Through this program, you will be able to extend your stay in the United States by up to 24 months to obtain advanced training in your field (for a total eligibility of up to 36 months), enhancing your overall educational experience and helping bridge the experience between academia and practice.

• International Student and Scholar Health Insurance Plan

International Center

The U-M International Center provides a variety of services to assist international students, scholars, faculty, and staff at the University of Michigan. The International Student and Scholar Services team serves as a key resource to the U-M community in the following ways:

• Advises international students, scholars, their dependents, and university departments on compliance with U.S. immigration laws and regulations related to F and J visa categories
• Recommends and approves immigration benefits
• Verifies, tracks, and submits visa status notifications through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), as required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Advises on adjustment to United States society and American culture, academic concerns and community resources
• Processes DS-2019s, I-20s, travel signatures, and letters needed for travel, employment, maintaining status, social security numbers, and other immigration related matters
• Conducts workshops and orientation sessions for international students, scholars, and U-M departments

Overall, it would be impossible to list all the extensive information and resources available on the International Center website.

English Language Institute (ELI)

The English Language Institute (ELI) is an independent unit offering credit-bearing courses within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The ELI offers a variety of courses in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) for nonnative speakers of English enrolled at and visiting the University of Michigan. The courses are designed to enable students to enhance their linguistic and communicative skills in order to become effective, fully participating members of the academic community both during their time on campus and beyond. Approximately 80% of ELI’s students are graduate students, with the remainder comprised of undergraduates and visiting scholars. ELI courses are taken concurrently with other courses.

In addition to the EAP courses during the Fall and Winter semesters, the ELI features a number of special instructional programs. These include courses and workshops for graduate student instructors (GSIs). Other special services include Speaking Clinics, Graduate Writing Clinics for International Students, and the Conversation Circles Program