You might see some new smiling faces around Addams Hall. Our student workers are students studying here at UIC just like you. When they are not studying, they help out in the office with miscellaneous tasks, social media and "man the front desk". If you see one of our student workers, say hi and welcome them to the Tutorium. 

Autumn

Where is home for you? West Side of Chicago and West Chicago suburbs

What is your major? I'm a Public Policy major but currently I'm taking art classes!

I can help you with... finding the right person for any questions you might have.

When you see me, ask me about... art or resources for face masks (you will always see me wearing one to lower the risk of getting sick)!

Zaara

Where is home for you?  Home for me is in the suburbs in Bolingbrook where I've lived for 12 years. Fun fact: I was born in Virginia! I take the Pace bus to get to UIC, and it's usually an hour commute, sometimes 2 hours if the traffic is really bad.

What is your major?  I'm currently majoring in Integrated Health Studies on the pre-med track, and I'm a first-year student at UIC.

I can help you... navigate the Tutorium website, give directions on campus, point you to the right person for your questions, or recommend some nice study spots. Feel free to also have some casual conversations with me in English!

When you see me... feel free to say hi and ask about my classes, any good books I've read, and my favorite desserts!

Anthony

Where is home for you? Home for me is a small section of South Chicago called Hegewisch. I’ve lived here my whole life! It’s pretty far from campus (about 20 miles), so the drive every morning is a long one!

What is your major? I am a biology major in my third year here at UIC on the pre-med track.

I can help you... with directions around campus, show you how to navigate the UIC and Tutorium websites, and I’m always happy to practice English with you in a casual conversation!

When you see me, ask me... about my dog, my classes, or literally anything at all!

Spring Break is March 23-27 (next week). What are your plans for spring break? If you are still undecided, here are some suggestions to keep practicing your English!

Don't forget classes resume Monday, March 30th!

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. The month is 29 or 30 days long, depending on the moon's visibility. Fasting during Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. It started on February 17, 2026, and ends on March 19, 2026 (exact dates may vary by a day or so depending on the moon's visibility).

Here is a resource to learn more about why Muslims fast and how you can support Muslim students during the fast. 

UIC has an app where you can see all the campus transportation options and their scheduled arrival times. With this app you can schedule a UIC night ride pick-up and track where your ride is as you wait. UIC Ride can provide you with: 

Arrival times: Don’t waste time waiting for the bus. Plan your trip with up-to-the-minute arrival predictions.

Real-time tracking: Stay informed—know exactly where your bus is at any time and monitor its progress toward you or your destination.

Alerts: Set alerts and know exactly when your ride will arrive.

Announcements: Things happen. UIC Ride will automatically tell you about any delays so your trip goes smoothly.

If you would like to feel a little safer at night when traveling around campus, you can request Night Ride service. Please download the UIC Ride app and sign on with your UIC NetID and password.

Android and iOS versions

CLASS PHOTO, next week ! Dress to impress! We are taking photos for our alumni wall! Ask your teacher which day you will take class pictures, and get ready to SMILE! 

Watch for an email about taxes!  Believe it or not, the US government requires F-1 students to file a tax return every year even though working off campus is not allowed.  TIE will email you with information and instructions.

As an international student, it is important to backup your documents electronically.

Save copies of your documents on your phone to have quick access to them anytime (I-20, visa, passport bio page, I-94, letters from USCIS) 

If you have a different status (international work permit, asylum, green card, etc.), it is important to have supporting documents with you (EAD card, TPS and Humanitarian Parole documentation).

Quote from a student about their field trip to The Art Institute of Chicago:

"Our class took a field trip to The Art Institute of Chicago on 26 February and that was a wonderful activity. Each of us had a chance to be a tour guide and to introduce the specific works that we're interested in among great collections in the museum. That experience boosted our confidence to approach new topics and share them in front of others."

Got St. Patrick's Day plans? St. Patrick's Day is this Tuesday, March 17th. You might be wondering "what should I do?" Well, here are a few fun ideas you can do to celebrate (and you can even bring a friend along). 

1. Check out the Chicago River (it's green). 

2. Grinch Steals St. Patrick's Day Skate at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Roller Skating and Bowling Center from 5-8p

3. Eat great pizza with river views at Pizzeria Portofino. 

For more fun things to do in Chicago on St. Patrick's day, check out: The best St. Patrick's Day events in Chicago.

On Thursday, March 19th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm in Millennium Lanes, Student Center East you can kick start your spring break with STRIKE OUT! Get your first bowling game FREE and a FREE stress ball! Grab a friend and go have a fun time! 

St. Patrick's Day is now known as a celebration of Irish culture, but originally it was a celebration to honor St. Patrick. St. Patrick was Roman Britain, but he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave. He is said to have brought Christianity to Ireland. While St. Patrick lived in the fifth century, St. Patrick's Day started in the ninth and tenth centuries in Ireland.

About 1 million Irish people fled Ireland to the US to escape starvation from Ireland's potato famine in the 1800s. Americans hated the Irish, but as their population started to grow, politicians realized they needed the Irish people's vote. St. Patrick's parades quickly became an annual event for politicians to attend. Now, St. Patrick's parades show the strength of the Irish people through all they have overcome.

Do you often grab your handy translator? Do you feel like you can't live without it as you brave this new world called "English"? Sometimes it is tempting to use a translator to translate sentences or paragraphs, but this is not a good idea, especially when you are completing your homework. To learn when and why you should avoid using a translator, read more>>.

Many students wonder when to try to move to an undergraduate program or graduate school. For all schools, you will need to apply. Universities look at your past academic background and your English proficiency to decide admission. If you're wondering how we can help you apply to a degree program here at UIC, read more>>.

Email questions to tutorium@uic.edu.
Or contact us to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting.