Eastern Illinois University
Travel guide for Indian students — Charleston, United States. Nearest international gateway: ORD (Chicago).
Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is a public university in Charleston, in east-central Illinois, known for education, business, sciences and a strong reputation for student support. It has a welcoming international community in a small, affordable college town.
EIU recommends international students fly into Chicago O'Hare (ORD), the practical gateway, then connect by train or coach. The nearest small airport is Champaign's Willard (CMI), ~49 miles away; Indianapolis (IND) is ~102 miles. EIU offers free pickup from the Mattoon Amtrak station, 10 miles from campus.
EIU is a supportive, affordable university in the small town of Charleston. Its international office gives clear, step-by-step arrival guidance and a free local pickup, which matters because the campus is well away from major airports.
Free EIU pickup from Mattoon
EIU offers free pickups from the Amtrak station in Mattoon, just 10 miles from campus - complete the Arrival Information Form in advance. This is the easiest final leg once you reach central Illinois.
Getting to campus from O'Hare
EIU recommends flying into Chicago O'Hare (ORD). From there, the budget route is the CTA Blue Line to downtown, Amtrak from Union Station to Mattoon, then the free EIU pickup. The Peoria Charter coach from O'Hare to Champaign's Illinois Terminal, then a train to Mattoon, also works. Important: do NOT take a taxi from O'Hare - EIU warns it can cost $800-1000 for the 3.5-hour drive.
Other airport options
Champaign's Willard (CMI, ~49 mi) and Indianapolis (IND, ~102 mi) are alternatives if you can find a connecting flight, but most international students route through O'Hare and the train.
Visiting your child at EIU? Fly into Chicago O'Hare (ORD), the practical gateway, then take Amtrak to Mattoon (10 miles from campus). Do not taxi from O'Hare - it can cost $800-1000. Plan the US visitor visa well ahead.
Getting from ORD to campus
Visitor visa for parents
Indian parents need a B1/B2 visitor visa. First-time interview waits are long and vary sharply by consulate, so city choice matters - you may book at ANY US consulate in India, not just your home city.
- Plan 8-12 months ahead, especially for graduation - graduations do NOT qualify for emergency/expedited appointments.
- You can book at any consulate in India; many families fly to Chennai to save months versus Mumbai or Delhi.
- The dropbox (interview waiver) window shrank from 48 to 12 months in 2025 - most parents with older expired visas now need a full interview.
- Visitor stays are up to 6 months per visit, set by the officer at entry on the I-94.
Just admitted to EIU? Most Indian students enter on an F-1 academic visa (DS-160 fee $185 + SEVIS I-901 fee $350). J-1 is for exchange programs (SEVIS $220), M-1 for vocational study. Spouses/children come on F-2/J-2/M-2 dependent visas. You can enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date. For Fall 2026, Indian F-1 applicants must interview at one of five US consulates in India. EIU recommends flying into Chicago O'Hare (ORD).
Arrival checklist
- Book your international flight into Chicago O'Hare (ORD), as EIU recommends.
- Plan the O'Hare to Mattoon leg by Amtrak (via downtown) or Peoria Charter - NOT a taxi (it can cost $800-1000).
- Complete EIU's Arrival Information Form to request the free pickup from Mattoon Amtrak (10 mi from campus).
- Confirm student baggage allowance with your airline.
- Carry your I-20, SEVIS receipt and financial documents in hand luggage for US immigration.
Charleston, home to Eastern Illinois University, is among the cheapest US markets - about $900-1,350 a month all-in sharing and cooking. It is a small, walkable rural town; the nearest Indian groceries are in Champaign, about 1.5 hours away.
Monthly cost of living in Charleston (a student estimate)
That's roughly $10,000-16,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.
Finding accommodation
Charleston is a small, rural college town built around Eastern Illinois University; students share cheap houses and apartments close to campus.
- EIU Panther Shuttle and local buses serve campus.
- Charleston is compact and walkable around the EIU campus.
- Champaign (~1.5) is the nearest larger city for an airport and Indian groceries.
Working part-time
On an F-1 visa you can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during term (full-time in breaks). Off-campus work needs authorization - CPT during study, OPT after (up to 12 months, +24 for STEM degrees). You cannot freelance or work off-campus without approval.
Safety & student support
Charleston is a small, generally very safe rural college town; the main practical concerns are weather and limited late-night transport.
- Eastern Illinois University runs a campus safety escort and alerts - save the number.
- The small campus and town are walkable and low-crime.
- A car is useful for groceries and travel; plan trips to the nearest city.
Indian community & food
Charleston is a small town with few or no dedicated Indian grocers; students rely on mainstream stores locally and stock up in Champaign.
Indian grocery stores
- Mainstream Walmart/Kroger-type stores in Charleston carry basic spices, rice and lentils.
- Champaign (~1.5) has the nearest dedicated Indian grocery stores - worth a monthly stock-up trip.
- Online desi grocery delivery is a common option for students in small towns.
Student community
- Eastern Illinois University has an international/Indian student group that runs Diwali and Holi events.
- The international student office helps new arrivals settle in.
- Limited Indian dining in Charleston; more options in Champaign.
Cost & living figures for Charleston last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.
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