Bikina

When I first got here I thought it was very small, but that's because I was comparing it to all the cities I've lived in before. Compared to other college towns I think U-C is pretty nice. http://www.dailyillini.com/article/2014/10/champaign-urbana-ranked-7th-in-top-college-towns As for the neighborhoods, I like Urbana better than Champaign. I live close to downtown Urbana and it's very nice and pretty quiet, and also close to campus. But that's just my personal opinion. I think you'll meet very nice people here, but I think you can meet nice people everywhere! Well, undergrads are definitely younger than 29, and I'd say most grad students are too, but I've met quite a lot of people in their late 20s or even older as well, so that shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't say we're a majority, but we're not a rare species either! Chicago is pretty close (2 hours and 30 min. drive) so it is definitely possible to go there in the weekends. Saludos!

Thanks to you both.

Well, I can't help a lot 'cause I've never lived there, but I've been told you can find better places for the same price (a grad student told me so). However, the Tenant Union recommended me to rent an apartment from University Housing. It was probably because I'm an international student and they know I can't visit to get one before August. But I guess they can't be that bad 'cause I don't think they would suggest me to get a total dump. Now, I have a question about the stipends. Are they tax-free? I'm sorry if it's a silly question. As an international student I have no idea about it. Thanks!

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

I've emailed the Tenant Union and they've been really helpful. They provided me with a lot of information. The thing is that, being an international student, I won't arrive to Urbana-Champaign till the end of July - beginning of August so I won't be able to visit. In that situation, don't you think is a bit risky to rent a place without seeing it first?? Plus, I don't know if what they're offering is good, bad, average, pricey... I'm thinking maybe I'll start looking for a room, although that could be risky too. What do you guys think? Is anyone looking for a grad roommate?

I'm in the same situation. I'm an international student so I won't have the chance to visit before moving there. I'll have to trust the Tenant Union and people's posts. Although I think the best thing for me would be to share a 2 bedroom apartment.

I've also been told by other grad students to pass on campus housing.

Yo iré a UIUC finalmente. ¡Suerte a todos!

Great idea! Thanks!

Thanks!!!

Hi!! I'll also be attending UIUC next Fall for the M.A. program in Hispanic Linguistics. I'm an international student and will probably move there at the end of July or the beginning of August. Any advice on accommodation would be greatly appreciated!

Did anyone apply to OSU and Penn State Hispanic Linguistics M.A.?

Ya veo que la mayoría habláis sobre la admisión para el doctorado, y yo he solicitado plaza para el Máster, así que...¡siento la intromisión! Pero, ya que he empezado a contar, os diré que me acaba de mandar un correo una de las profesoras de OSU para decirme que estoy en la "waiting list". Que espera poder darme buenas noticias a mediados de abril....¡pero para entonces tengo que dar una respuesta a la Universidad de Illinois Urbana - Champaign! ¡Qué estrés! ¿Cómo debería sentirme? ¿Alguien está en la misma situación?

Me han contestado de Penn State diciendo que están todavía en periodo de tomar la decisión y que sabré de ellos en dos o tres semanas (para el Hispanic Linguistics M.A.). ¿Quizá es que están a la espera de si alguien rechaza plaza o me lo habrían dicho? Saludos.

Ok, entiendo. Bueno, les he enviado correos electrónicos a todos. A ver qué responden. Gracias por la información.