IELP at Cleveland State University can help you improve your English skills whether your goals are for educational, business or personal reasons. By living "in the language," you will learn English more efficiently. Cleveland is a welcoming, multicultural city in the mid-western United States with four distinct seasons. You can explore US culture and customs by visiting the many museums and cultural events in Cleveland and the state of Ohio. Students who apply to study at the Intensive English Language Program must be 18 years of age by the first day of classes.
 

Quick links to information on this page:

▪ Application Deadlines
▪ Core Courses
▪ Support Courses
▪ Visa Information
▪ New Students Email List
▪ Fees, Finances and Wire Transfers
▪ Financial Verification Requirements
▪ Health Issues
▪ Arrival Information
▪ Hotels
▪ About Cleveland State University
▪ On-Campus Housing
▪ On-Campus Assistance & Orientation
▪ The City is Our Campus
▪ Clothing & Weather
▪ Cutlure and Entertainment
▪ Contact Information

Application Deadlines:
The Intensive English Language Program (IELP) will help you prepare for the university or work. The classes will integrate the different language skills and give you practice. We can give I-20’s to request a student visa, but permanent residents and citizens are also welcome. 

• The application deadline for Summer 2011 (May 24 - August 12, 2011) is Tuesday, March 14, 2011.  Transfer application deadline is Monday, April 25, 2011.
• The application deadline for Fall 2011 (August 29 - December 17, 2011 is Monday, June 13, 2011.  Transfer application deadline is Monday, July 25, 2011.

Cleveland State University’s Center for International Services and Programs (CISP) is pleased to make available DHL and FedEx Express mailing of applications, supporting materials, and financials to our university. Please go to http://www.csuohio.edu/offices/international/express_mailing/ for information about sending documents or receiving your I20.

Core Courses:

• Integrated Reading & Writing: Practice in reading and writing skills to increase your comprehension, build your vocabulary, and improve your writing and prepare you for more advanced work.
• Integrated Listening & Speaking: Practice in listening and speaking skills to improve your listening comprehension and spoken fluency and prepare you for more advanced work.
• Grammar: Learn and practice grammar structures to use in your other classes and everyday activities.
   

Support Courses:

• Vocabulary Development: Practice in learning new words & expressions by studying: everyday item names, dictionary use, idioms, phrasal verbs, and academic words. Practice in learning vocabulary from context and word parts.
• Pronunciation: : Practice in pronouncing English and using intonation, rhythm and stress in a variety of settings.
• Conversation: Practice in everyday and academic conversations. Learn vocabulary and how to interact with speakers of English.

Visa Information
Welcome to the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) at Cleveland State University. Please ready the information below. If you have any questions, please email us at esl@csuohio.edu. Please follow instructions for the category relating to your situation.

If you are currently residing in your home country: You will receive a certificate of eligibility (Form I-20) in the envelope with your acceptance letter that must be presented to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy when applying for your F-1 student visa. You should also present your original financial documents and your letter of admission. For information concerning the visa requirements and visa application materials visit www.state.gov/countries.cfm.

Caution: Do not enter the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa unless "prospective student" is noted, AND also do not enter on a visa waiver. In either of the above mentioned cases you will have to leave the United States!!! Please read the regulations on your I-20 (see page 2) before you leave your home country.

Canadian Visa: If you wish to visit Canada during your stay in Cleveland, it may be more convenient for you to obtain a Canadian visitor's visa in your home country.

If you are already studying in the United States on an F-1 Visa: Your Form I-20 for Cleveland State University will be given to you at the Center for International Services and Programs.

If you plan to leave the U.S. before enrolling: Please ask us to send your I-20 form to you. You must use the Cleveland State University issued Form I-20 to re-enter the U.S.

If you are remaining in the U.S.: DHS regulations require you to be in valid F-1 status at your current school before an immigration transfer to Cleveland State can be processed. Please have your current International Student Advisor begin the process. If you are "out-of-status," you must discuss reinstatement of status with the international student advisor at the school where you were studying. Your Form I-20 will NOT be mailed, but can be signed and picked up in the Center for International Services and Programs.

Warning: Failure to complete the transfer process within 15 days from the start of the semester will result in violation of immigration regulations. Also, you may not work on campus until your F-1 immigration transfer has been approved.

If you are in the United States on another type of visa (F-2, J-2, H-1, etc.), or have applied for permanent residency: You are required to become an F-1 holder before you can begin studying at the IELP. In order to change to F-1, please contact our office at (216) 875-9669 and we will give you information about applying for the change in status.
 

New students e-mail List
We realize that as new students, many of you will have questions as you prepare to arrive at Cleveland State University. We plan to address issues common to all students and hope that in the process we can minimize your concerns and the concerns of your family. If you would like to receive these messages, please send an email to esl@csuohio.edu and in the subject line write "New student".  Please write your name in the text of the message.


Fees & Finances
You should bring a MasterCard credit card (the university bursar's office no longer accepts "Visa" or international checks) or have traveler's checks for about 1/3 of your tuition and fees.  Approximately $2,250 will be due within the first few days. You will need enough for your tuition, fees, bill at Viking Hall or off-campus housing costs and books. You will want to have some other money available the first week for personal expenses. Both traveler's checks and personal checks must be payable in US dollars from a US bank. Personal checks will be made payable to Cleveland State University. For information on semester fees and other expenses please click here. All F-1 Visa international students are required to be enrolled full time (20 hours per week).

Please read: Important information regarding International Wire Transfers to CSU.

Health Issues
Please bring Tuberculosis (TB) test results or chest x-ray from your home country or previous university. If you cannot bring your TB results, you will be tested at Health Services Center on Campus. NO OTHER MEDICAL TEST IS REQUIRED.

All international students are required to have health insurance. The University's Health Insurance Policy provides low cost health care for each student. You will be charged for the University's health insurance policy upon registration. Exemptions from the University health care policy are limited. In order to waive the CSU health insurance policy you must have current insurance that covers you while in the U.S. through an embassy scholarship, a parent, a spouse, work, or you must have an ongoing illness that requires you to keep your current policy.

In addition the Insurance must meet the following requirements: Medical Benefits: at least 80% of first $50,000 of covered expenses; Repatriation Benefit: $10,000 minimum; Medical Evacuation Benefit: $15,000 minimum; Deductible: not to exceed $50 per accident/ illness; Co-Payment: not to exceed 20% of covered expenses. If you meet the exemption criteria above, please complete the Health Insurance Verification Form and attach a copy of your current policy. A new Health Insurance Verification Form must be filled out each semester you attend the University. Students who fail to fill out a new form will be charged for the University's Health Insurance policy.

In addition to exemptions, the Health Insurance Verification Form can be used to add dependants to your policy. (SEE FORM) The verification form can be downloaded at http://www.csuohio.edu/internat/services_adv.html


Arrival Information
If you are unable to make your own arrangements to be picked up at the airport and need temporary housing accommodations, contact us by fax at least 72 hours in advance (Fax: 216-687-5299). We will make every effort to have someone meet you at the airport. However, if no one is available to meet you, you have several transportation options: The Rapid Transit (train) is located in the airport.

The Rapid Transit will take you from the airport to the Terminal Tower in downtown Cleveland, where the central rapid station is located. It is important that you take an "Outer Loop Bus" which goes to Campus. The Loop Bus operates only until 6:00 p.m. The Rapid Transit costs $1.50 and the Loop bus cost $.75. You may also take a taxicab from Terminal Tower to CSU. The cost will be $5.00 or $6.00 dollars.

If you take a taxi from the airport, it will cost between $25.00 and $30.00. If you arrive into Cleveland after 10:00 p.m., you will need to stay at a hotel for your first night.


Hotels Near Airport

Hotel	Rates	Address	Tel#
Budget Inn	$58.00/ per night + tax	14043 Brook Park Road	(216) 267-2350
Ramada Inn	$59.00/per night + tax	13930 Brook Park Road	(216) 267-5700

Hotels Near Cleveland State University

Hotel	Rates	Address	Tel# / Fax#
Holiday Inn Express Cleveland Downtown	$99/per night + tax	629 Euclid Av.	T (216) 875-5187 F (216) 443-1722
Holiday Inn Select -City Center	$99/per night + tax	1111 Lakeside Av.	T (216) 241-5100 F (216) 241-7437
Comfort Inn	$109.00/per night + tax	1800 Euclid Av.	T (216) 861-0001 F (216) 861-0002

 

Cleveland State University

Located in the heart of the Greater Cleveland area, Cleveland State University is an integral part of the life of the city. Cleveland is the economic and cultural center of the region. As such, it attracts professionals who are eager to continue their education. CSU enrolls the largest percentage of graduate students among all state universities in Ohio.

Cleveland State is the most diverse public institution in the State of Ohio. The university has become a distinctive international institution as well, enrolling more than 800 students from over 60 nations and placing students in internships in ten overseas partnerships.

The university's mission of service to the community can be seen in its accessibility, urban focus, strong faculty research and publications, and large graduate enrollments.   Over the past decade, CSU has built strong technical support for faculty research and for classroom instruction.  For more information, please go to http://www.csuohio.edu/choosecsu/whoweare.html
 

Cleveland State University highlights:

• A library with two million volumes and access to over 11,000 periodicals, three computer labs for students, and dozens of public Internet terminals that provide access to specially selected online electronic research databases and journals.
• Five general computer labs across campus plus over twenty other department-run labs are available for students.
• Specialized research equipment and major analytical instrumentation facilities in various departments.
• Woodling Gym with a swimming pool, a gym, a suspended track above the gym floor, racquetball courts, locker rooms and weight rooms.
• Cleveland State offers over 40 different master's degrees, 7 doctoral degrees, and J.D. and LL.M. degrees in Law. There are also various post-master and certificate programs.

Acceptance to the IEP does not guarantee acceptance to Cleveland State University. For information about admission to Cleveland State University, please go to http://www.csuohio.edu/internat/admissions.html.

Apply Now! to the Intensive English Language Program

On-Campus Housing:

You must apply to on-campus housing yourself. Please go to www.csuohio.edu/reslife/ or call 216-687-5196. The office of Residence Life will accept applications by fax or email attachments. The IELP office is happy to help you with any questions you might have.

Cleveland State is a great metropolitan university located in the heart of downtown Cleveland. Only minutes away from cultural institutions, professional sports teams and many neighborhoods hosting special events ranging from arts-and-crafts fairs to food festivals, Cleveland State offers the opportunity to live, study, work and play in a vibrant downtown setting.

Housing Options

Euclid Commons
Euclid Commons will become CSU’s newest, state-of-the-art community especially designed for the students of today and tomorrow. The community will house over 600 students. It also has furnished units, kitchenettes and will open in Fall 2010.

Fenn Tower
Historic Fenn Tower has been restored to a state-of-the-art residence complex. Some units have kitchenettes. The building houses up to 438 students.

Heritage Suites
Heritage Suites houses up to 148 students. Heritage Suites provides the privacy and lifestyle you deserve in a student community. It has a great location, fully furnished units, individual leases and kitchenettes. Residents of Heritage Suites be 21 years of age or older or must be sophomore class standing and above.

Viking Hall
Viking Hall, the University's maiden on-campus housing community, continues to be the "home away from home" for more than 475 students each year.  Please let us know what your plans are for housing on your application.

• Two students generally share a room, but some single rooms are available at extra cost.
• Students living on campus buy meal plans for on-campus dining.
• Off-campus housing information is available at the Student Life office and at CISP.
• Students must arrive at least two weeks before classes to make arrangements for off campus housing.
• Currently, there is no housing for married students. If you are married, you may be more comfortable in off-campus housing.
   

On-Campus Assistance and Orientation:

The Intensive English Language Program (IELP) staff along with help from the Center for International Services and Programs (CISP) at Cleveland State University provides information about:

• Immigration issues
• The Cleveland State University campus and
• the Cleveland area.

Orientation will include:

• A pre-arranged airport pick-up
• Language assessment test
• Campus tours

The IELP will also provide:

• Personal and Academic Advising
• Housing Information
• Conversation Partner Program (optional)
• Several cultural or educational activities/field trips during the semester
   

The City is our campus.
 

Cleveland, Ohio is a wonderful place to continue your education. It has world-class cultural institutions, internationally acclaimed education, and health institutions, major-league sports, state-of-the-art attractions, unique ethnic neighborhoods, great shopping and dining, exciting nightlife, a national park for outdoor recreation, and affordable housing that has people all over the world noticing what residents have always said...Cleveland is the best location in the nation!

• Cleveland is located in the Eastern standard time zone (EST) of the United States on the southern shore of Lake Erie, part of the Great Lakes Region.
• This location allows you to enjoy the four distinct seasons in Cleveland.
• You can enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor activities during the year, including many holiday, arts & crafts, ethnic, and food festivals throughout the city.
• Fortune magazine ranked Greater Cleveland as one of the 10 best cities for business in North America,
• Places Rated Almanac named the city the nation's #2 destination for recreation.
• Partners For Livable Communities named Cleveland one of four "most livable cities" in the United States this decade!
• Most recently, USA Today named Cleveland one of 10 great places to take a hike in the big city.

Population: Greater metropolitan area 2.9 million. The city of Cleveland 500,000. 

Twelve (12) companies with headquarters in Cleveland were on Fortune magazine's 2001 list of the top 500 U.S. Corporations and over 150 international companies have offices in Cleveland.  Cleveland's five major industries are: Health & Medicine, Science & Engineering, Biotechnology & Biomedical, Manufacturing, and Eduction

Clothing and Weather

September to December are cool to cold months in Cleveland. Temperature ranges between 75°f, (24°c) to 32°f (0°c). Summer clothing gives way to sweaters and then winter coats, hats, gloves and boots in December. The average January temperature is 28.5°f (-1.9°c). The average winter snowfall is 40 inches (101.6 cm). You should pack warm clothing and shoes appropriate for cold winter weather. If you are coming from a warm climate, it may be more affordable to purchase winter clothing after your arrival in Ohio. On the other hand, summer weather can be hot and humid. Many university students wear t-shirts and jeans or shorts to classes in the summer.

Average high temperatures:	January 33°f / 1°c
	July 81°f / 27°c
	September 72°f / 22°c

Culture & Entertainment
Students in the IELP are close to the cultural center of Cleveland. Students can walk or take a short bus ride to theaters, stadiums and museums. In addition to classroom work, the IELP plans activities to several cultural and recreational areas nearby.  Students can enjoy the cultural activities and learn about American Life. Students can also go to the many different restaurants and music sites by themselves or with friends.  View our photo gallery of Cleveland area highlights.

Some of the regional points of interest are:

• Ethnic Food Stores & Restaurants
• Major Sports Teams (baseball, basketball & football)
• Great Lakes Science Center
• Metroparks
• Metroparks Zoo
• The Flats (a waterfront entertainment district)
• Playhouse Square (site of visiting Broadway plays)
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Cleveland Museum of Art

For more information on Cleveland, you can visit:

Positively Cleveland
Cool Cleveland
Cleveland Scene
City of Cleveland

For more information, contact:

Michele S. Bowman
ESL Program Director
2121 Euclid Avenue, CE 103
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH 44115

Campus Address:
Cole Center (CE 215)
3100 Chester Ave
Cleveland, OH 44115

Campus Phone:
(216) 875-9669

Email: esl@csuohio.edu