FIU English Language Institute
About
The FIU English Language Institute (FIU ELI) has provided high-quality English language instruction to over 25,000 students from all over the world since 1978. Its program offerings meet the needs and interests of all students, from the casual language learner to the working professional.
The FIU English Language Institute (FIU ELI) has provided high-quality English language instruction to over 25,000 students from all over the world since 1978. Its program offerings meet the needs and interests of all students, from the casual language learner to the working professional. The most popular programs at the FIU ELI include the Intensive English Program and the TOEFL® Preparation course.
The Intensive English Program is an academic English course designed to prepare students for academic life in the U.S. and professionals for an English-speaking work or learning environment. Students in the Intensive English Program have access to campus facilities such as the recreation center, on-campus housing, and the student health clinic. A dedicated event coordinator plans custom events for students that immerse them in student life on campus and take them around Miami. Free tutoring and conversation practice are offered on a weekly basis.
Note: The FIU ELI currently does not offer credit-bearing courses or conditional admission.
ELI students have the opportunity to study at a beautiful campus. In fact, many transfer students have said that FIU boasts one of the most beautiful campuses in Florida and the USA.
The beautiful surroundings of the FIU campus enhance the magnificent architecture of its modern buildings, which offer students spacious, modern classrooms and state-of-the-art laboratories.
The ELI offers its students world-class facilities at a world-class university:
- Building: The ELI operates out of its own building, built specifically to meet the needs of its students. The Labor Center building houses the English Language Institute and is centrally located next to the College of Law and across from the College of Business.
- Audio-Visual Language and Computer Laboratory: This 48-station laboratory offers the ELI students a wide range of up-to-date computer terminals, each equipped with easy-to-use language learning software that enhances English language learning.
- Classrooms: The ELI boasts modern, spacious classrooms, built specifically to accommodate a small number of students.
- Banking: FIU offers several on-campus banking options to students at very low prices. There are also Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) on campus to access your money.
- Housing: Student housing community is vibrant and bustling with 3,200 students who live, work and play surrounded by FIU’s lush, expansive campus. Not only is it the safer choice, but on-campus housing is an environment dedicated to meeting all students’ needs. FIU Housing is now available on a first-come, first-served basis to all ELI students who are at least 18 years old.
You need a student visa (F1) to enter the United States to study. In order to obtain your visa, you must apply for it at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
You will need various documents to support your visa application, and visa procedures vary from one consulate or embassy to another, so you should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate near your home. However, the following documents are always required:
- A sponsor letter: We have a sample sponsor letter that we provide students with upon request. The students can send our team an email requesting the sample.
- A current, valid passport
- The I-20 Form
- Your letter of acceptance
- A letter from your bank, your parents’ bank, or your sponsor’s bank. This is your financial documentation.
- SEVIS payment receipt
You have now received your letter of acceptance and I-20 Form, and you have your financial documentation ready. You must now begin to plan for your trip to the U.S., and we would like to help you.
This pre-arrival guide is written to help you plan for your trip and to answer any questions you might have as to what you need to do before and right after your arrival.
Study in the States is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website for International students.
Miami
Studying at the ELI would not be complete without savoring the excitement of culturally rich Miami. At the southeastern tip of the United States, just north of Latin America and on the threshold of the Caribbean, in recent years Miami has become a global crossroads for business and entertainment from banking and shipping industries to the world of film and fashion. From the city’s multi-ethnic population comes a cross-cultural blend of restaurants, festivals, art institutions, and historical sites. The region’s subtropical climate and an average temperature of 77 degrees encourage an outdoor lifestyle, including leisure activities and sports.
The ELI schedules regular field trips to area attractions for all its students. Cultural and historical attractions include Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, Miami Seaquarium, Zoo Miami, Jungle Island, Bayside Marketplace, South Beach Art Deco District, Wynwood Art District, Miami Book Fair International, and Coconut Grove Arts Festival.
Professional sports and leisure activities include the Miami Dolphins (American football), Miami Heat (basketball), Miami Marlins (baseball), and Florida Panthers (hockey). Leisure activities include snorkeling, sailing, and fabulous beaches.
Attractions within a short drive include: the city of Key West and the Florida Keys; Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando; Busch Gardens in Tampa; Lion Country Safari in West Palm Beach; and Everglades National Park.
Before you arrive
Although Miami is known for its beaches and outdoor activities, it is also a cosmopolitan city offering great theater, music concerts, opera, art festivals, and museums. You will want to bring a swimsuit, but you might also want to bring a jacket and tie or a nice dress for those special occasions.
If you’re coming in December or January, you should bring a sweater. It is very hot and humid from April to August. Other than that, the weather in Miami is sunny year-round, so bring light, casual clothes and enjoy our tropical climate.
If you’re planning to stay in the dormitories, you may want to bring a small pillow and a set of sheets for your first night. Later, you will have plenty of time to shop for towels, sheets, pillows, or anything you might need.
A final note: You might want to bring some typical music from your country to share with your new friends, as well as postcards, pictures, or some traditional items from your part of the world.
