The Grainger College of Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

Resources for New Graduate Students/Living in Urbana-Champaign

Welcome! To help get you started, here are some useful resources for you.

 Life in C-U as a Graduate Student

Champaign-Urbana is located in east-central Illinois, making it a terrific place to study and live--particularly on a modest budget--while also being a great jumping-off-point for weekend excursions to Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. 

The street that divides the two cities practically runs down the middle of the Department of Aerospace Engineering's Talbot Laboratory on the campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, so it is common to be in both cities at some point in time every day.  If you wind up living in Champaign or Urbana, you may walk or bike to campus, but  the MTD is also a great way to get to where you need to go.  If you choose to live in one of the small surrounding towns such as Savoy or St. Joseph, they are just a short drive or bike ride away.

Experience Champaign Urbana is good reference for schools, restaurants, parks, dates for events and festivals, and many other features of living near campus.  The micro-urban atmosphere offers the lower-stress pace of a smaller community alongside the variety of foods and culture you find in much larger cities. There are an abundance of restaurants, sports and recreation, music and other arts activities happening every day. Check out the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the State Farm Center, and the park districts in Urbana and Champaign for a glimpse at some of the choices you can make.

One aspect of the community is that it tends to grow on you as you become more familiar with the area and make connections. Although many graduate students live here for a couple of years to complete a master's degree or longer for a doctorate then leave the area after graduation for a career in another place, you'll be surprised by how many make C-U their long-term home. 

The Graduate College website welcome pages has lots of helpful information, too.

Here are just a few:
Transportation 
Housing
Getting to Know CU
Health Care Services
Financial Wellness

Come for the degree, enjoy life while you're here! 

"I chose to study at Illinois for its renowned research facilities and esteemed faculty but the choice was also about the area’s vibrant community.  Illinois, especially Urbana-Champaign, offers a unique blend of academic focus and cultural diversity, creating an enriching environment for personal and professional growth.

"The region's connection to pioneering aerospace achievements and the presence of cutting-edge research institutions make it an ideal place for someone passionate about aerospace engineering. This setting provides a balanced life where I can pursue academic excellence while being part of a lively and diverse community."

Kanishka Deepak, MS '24

Professional Development Resources

The Grainger College of Engineering Career Services helps you with resumes, cover letters, and practices interviews.  Explore their website to see how they can help you.

University of Illinois Career Center coaches and supports students in their career decisions and career management skills.

Check out the career services platform Handshake.  It is designed to help students connect with employers and find job and internship opportunities.

The Graduate College assists graduate students and postdocs in their career building.