School of Education
University of Wisconsin–Madison

International Students & Visiting Scholars

The School of Education is incredibly fortunate to have an amazing community of international students and visiting scholars throughout our ten academic departments.

With approximately 60 undergraduate students, 170 graduate students, and 45 visiting scholars from 29 countries around the globe, we value the immense incredible learnings, experiences, and knowledge that international students and scholars bring to our intellectual and creative communities. In turn, the School of Education aims to provide inclusive community and targeted support for those studying and researching outside of their home countries.

Badgers holding up a "W" in Chicago.

Resources & Initiatives

Undergraduate International Students

Admission to UW–Madison is granted through the Admissions Office. Once accepted, we encourage you to reach out to Education Academic Services to learn more about different undergraduate majors, or to meet with your advisor if you are already in the School of Education.

There are many resources available for international students:

  • The Office of Global Engagement hosts events and lectures that focus on global themes
  • The International Student Services Office hosts a number of programs and activities for the international student community, as well as provides ongoing immigration advising and assistance
  • The Student Diversity Programs (SDP) Office is committed to diversity within the School of Education. Many international undergraduate students value the support and connections they make through this office
  • For students looking to connect with others who have similar interests or shared cultural backgrounds, the Wisconsin Involvement Network has a list of over 900 clubs and organizations

Graduate International Students

Admission to UW–Madison is managed by the School of Education’s individual academic departments in coordination with the UW–Madison Graduate School.

Moving across the world to pursue graduate studies is exciting and daunting, all at the same time. We are working to build a set of resources that pertain to international graduate students’ experiences in the School of Education.

International Visiting Scholars

The School of Education values the ways visiting international scholars enrich our community and enhance our connections to create change in the world.

The Office of Global Engagement is currently working to update the application process for visiting scholars. The Departments of Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Policy Studies (application deadline is 2/1) host their own visiting scholars programs.

If you are interested in connecting with another academic department in the School of Education, please reach out to our office (global@education.wisc.edu).

Campus Resources for International Students and Scholars

  • International Student Services: International Student Services (ISS) offers a wide variety of services and programs for undergraduate and graduate international students, including support concerning visas, employment, tax information, and related immigration issues.
  • International Faculty & Staff Services: Housed within the Office of Human Resources, IFSS provides comprehensive assistance to the UW–Madison on all aspects of non-student immigration, such as J-1 visa, employment, dependent, tax information, and related immigration issues.
  • University Health Services (UHS): UHS provides health services to all students and scholars, including medical services, mental health, victim advocacy, prevention, health promotion, etc. If you are a University employee, there are different insurance plans available.
  • University Apartments: Eagle Heights, Harvey Street, University House.

Student Organizations and International Student Groups

The Wisconsin Involvement Network has a list of over 900 clubs and organizations. A few that are of interests to many School of Education graduate students include:

Organizations of Community Connections

  • Morgridge Center for Public Service: If you want to connect with the community, the Morgridge Center for Public Service helps to build partnerships and solve critical issues through service.
  • The Network Fellows: This program, available to School of Education graduate students, facilitates partnerships by building connections between educators, researchers, policy makers, administrators, and community members in the state of Wisconsin.
  • Madison Friends of International Students: MFIS connects Madison-area international university and college students, scholars, and any accompanying family with local residents to foster cultural exchange, global goodwill, and friendships around the world. MFIS also offers an English program for approximately $100 per semester.
  • BRIDGE: Facilitated by the International Student Services Office, BRIDGE fosters connections among international and domestic students.
  • REACH: Facilitated by the International Student Services Office, REACH connects international students with local schools, campus venues, and community organizations for presentations, discussions, and/or conversations about the student’s home country and culture.

Transportation

Campus bus NO. 80: Free. Identification not required for boarding. The 80 bus is the main campus circulator serving major campus locations such as Union South, UW Hospital, and Eagle Heights. If you are not riding an 80 bus, you will need a bus pass and student ID to board. Bus passes are issued every semester at ASM student activity center (333 East Campus Mall), or Union South. More information about public transportation: https://transportation.wisc.edu/bus/

Parking:

  1. On campus: There are two options. If you only plan to drive in occasionally, you can use the hourly temporary parking options available on campus. See the map for ramp locations and meters. Some campus meters require you to have the Park Mobile app. You need to download the app to your phone to use these designated parking spaces. If you are planning to park daily on campus, you can review Parking and Transportation Services’ options for students via their website. Graduate students often apply for the afternoon parking passes that allow them to park from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. in one of the lots/ramps.
  2. Downtown Madison: City of Madison hourly parking ramps are available near the east end of campus located at N. Lake Street and N. Francis Street.

Banks

Housing

Grocery Stores with Regional Ingredients

  • Hispanic: El Mercadito (916 S. Whitney Way), Enrique’s Grocery (1417 Northport Drive), Hispanic Grocery Store (4512 E Washington Ave), Mercado Marimar (2102 S. Park St), Santa Maria Grocery (1326 S. Midvale Blvd), La Rosita Latina (6005 Monona Dr), Tienda Los Gemelos (6731 Odana Road), La Chaparrita (2618 E Washington Ave), La Hispana Grocery II (3060 Fish Hatchery Road), La Tiendita (2620 Allen Blvd), La Zacatecana (4915 Commercial Ave)
  • Chinese: Asian Midway Foods (301 S. Park St), Garden Asian Market (6136 University Ave), J & P Fresh Market (6634 Watts Road)
  • Korean: Oriental Food Mart (1206 S Park St)
  • Japanese: Oriental Shop (1029 S. Park St)
  • Indian: India House (709 S. Gammon Road), Bombay Bajaar (703 S. Gammon Road), Maharani’s Indian Grocery Store (6717 Odana Road), Maharja Grocery (1701 Thierer Road)
  • Southeast Asian: Viet Hoa Market (4602 Monona Drive), Madison Oriental Market (2119 Fish Hatchery Road)