Frequently Asked Questions
Where will I live?
During the fall and spring semesters, IEP students under age 23 can live in dormitories. They have American roommates, eat all their meals in the dining hall and participate in other campus activities. During the summer, IEP students live off-campus. Throughout the year, older students live in university or private housing near campus. Some students are immigrants who have settled in Harrisonburg.
What will I do when I finish my English course?
After completing IEP, our students enter universities, graduate programs and community colleges in the United States. Immigrant students get better jobs here and some students return to their home countries to pursue a career that makes use of their improved English skills.
Who teaches in IEP?
The IEP staff consists of a director, administrative staff, and instructors. All of our instructors have a college background, many with masters degrees in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or education. Most IEP instructors have international teaching experience.
IEP teachers strive to meet the standards set forth by Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and follow the best practices in ESL teaching.
Who will help me adjust to life in America?
Micah Shristi, EMU’s director of international student services, helps with visas, transportation, holiday options, orientation to EMU and Harrisonburg, health care issues, personal matters, etc. Micah also serves as staff advisor for the International Student Organization, a student-led group that plans activities and excursions open to all EMU students.
Where is IEP?
EMU is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The hillside campus is safe, quiet, and clean and at the edge of the small city of Harrisonburg. Nearby are historical sites, a ski resort and Shenandoah National Park with its famous Skyline Drive. EMU is two hours by car from Washington, D.C. Find out more about the area…
IEP is a program of Eastern Mennonite University, or EMU, a small Christian liberal arts college dedicated to core Anabaptist and Mennonite values of peacebuilding and service. EMU is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Learn more about EMU…
How do I get to IEP?
If you are an international student and fly into Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. or Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, we will provide pick-up service. If arriving on your own, our directions from major highways in Virginia will help you find campus easily.
What will I do when I'm not in my English classes?
Do you enjoy nature, hiking, canoeing, camping, and other outdoor activities? That’s great! Our city, Harrisonburg, was named a top city for outdoors lovers by Backpacker Magazine! Join other IEP students in adventures in the three nearby national parks and forests!
If you enjoy history and culture, then you can visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, local Civil War battlefields, and the majestic monuments and museums of Washington, D.C.
If you would rather stick close to campus, there are many activities at EMU and in Harrisonburg. Concerts, recitals, special lectures, famous authors, sporting events, and art exhibits – you can experience all of these right on our campus. IEP students may also participate in many EMU events and organizations, such as intramural sports and the International Student Organization.
Where will my English classes be?
The IEP classrooms are located on the ground floor of the Roselawn building (see campus map). You may prepare small meals and refreshments in the kitchen. Videos, computers and other audio-visual equipment are used regularly in instruction and available for student use, as well as high-speed wireless Internet access for those students with laptops.
Most or all of your classes will likely be at IEP in Roselawn. However, some classes may be in other locations on campus if we have more students than we can fit at at IEP.
How can I apply for English courses?
We welcome applications for our regular semester programs (fall, spring and summer) from high school and college graduates. You must be at least 18 years old to attend unless given special permission from IEP. You’ll find our printable application materials by clicking here or by following the Application Forms link at the left side of this page.
