Our Mission

To provide students the language support and cultural knowledge needed to be successful in achieving their educational and career goals.

Welcome!

Warmest greetings from all of us at UMaine in Orono!

Thank you for your interest in studying with us. We’re always excited to recommend UMaine to all international students! The campus community here is very welcoming, safe, and inclusive. The faculty is world-class, the staff is amazing, and everyone really cares about the students’ wellbeing and long term success.

Program Offerings

Click the dropdown menu for the course or program to learn more.

  • Designed for non-native speakers of English
  • Improve your oral communication skills and build on the confidence needed for effective interaction in academic as well as social settings in English-speaking environments
  • Read more here: IEI 98
  • Designed for non-native speakers of English
  • Improve your grammar and compositional skills
  • Read more about it here: IEI 99
  • Suits the needs and budget of school, business or organization
  • Features custom curriculum, flexible schedule customizable cultural activities, and partnerships with other departments are the University of Maine
  • Click on this link to learn more
  • Programming offered by the Intensive English Institute (IEI) to UMaine students and Orono, Old Town, and Bangor community members
  • Designed for non-native speakers of English to improve their listening and speaking communication skills
  • This program is NOT suitable for students requiring an F-1 visa
  • Read more about it in this article

Custom Short-Term Program

IEI 99 – Academic Writing for Graduate Students

Community English

  • Suits the needs and budget of your school, business or organization
  • Features custom curriculum, flexible schedule customizable cultural activities, and partnerships with other departments are the University of Maine
  • Click on this link to learn more
  • Designed for non-native speakers of English
  • Improve your grammar and composition skills
  • Read more about it here
  • Programming offered by the Intensive English Institute (IEI) to UMaine students and Orono, Old Town, and Bangor community members
  • Designed for non-native speakers of English to improve their listening and speaking communication skills
  • This programming is not suitable for students requiring an F-1 visa
  • Read more about it in this article

  • My IEI Experience

    I was really happy and enjoyed to take IEI classes at UMaine. Taking IEI classes helped me not only for preparing my English skills to take academic classes at UMaine but also making connections with other international students from all over the world and getting used to life in the U.S. The classes were consisted by in-class lectures and outside activities. One of the activities that I remember is to go to the local elementary school and introduce own culture to children. At first, I was really nervous about it because it was my first time to communicate with children in the U.S. but this oppotunity gave me a lot of confidence to talk in English.
    At this point, I have finished my IEI courses and ready to take undergraduate classes from upcoming semester. I am truly grad to teachers and people who work at IEI that gave me such precious experiences.
    IEI student standing on a rock, arms outstretched
    Kaho Ikeda
    IEI Student

  • A Wonderful Time

    IEI program was a wonderful trampoline for me to start my path at UMaine. Because of the professional staff, wonderful instructors and sustainable knowledge they provided me with, I felt so comfortable and ready to go forward in achieving my goals. IEI classes happened to be exactly what I needed to get acquainted with the student’s life and supported me greatly in my cultural adjustment.
    mariana
    Mariana Halletska
    IEI Student

  • My University Life is More Fulfilling!

    Through the IEI program, I feel I was able to improve my language skills and acquire a
    wide range of knowledge. The teacher and staff are very kind and the environment is very lively.
    I am also grateful that studying at IEI provided me with opportunities to adapt to the University
    Culture and lifestyle, and interact with other UMaine students, making my university life even
    more fulfilling!
    Yu Sato from Hirosaki University
    Yu Sato
    Hirosaki University

Intensive English Institute Fund

This fund was established in 2023 by friends of the University of Maine Office of International Programs to provide financial support to students in the Intensive English Institute. 

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