Innovative programming, outstanding academic, immigration, and support services, and engaging cultural experiences have consistently made the International English Center (IEC) one of the top destinations for English language study in the United States. Established in 1975, the IEC provides high-quality English language training and cultural programming for youth, high school, pre-collegiate, pre-graduate, and degree students, working professionals, and members of the Boulder community. Programs integrate cutting-edge teaching practices and experiential learning. Courses are offered in traditional, hybrid, and online formats. The IEC is a proud member of UCIEP, a U.S. consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs known for its high professional standards and quality English language instruction.

The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado. Founded in 1876, five months before Colorado became a state, it is the flagship university of the University of Colorado system. CU Boulder is a member of the Association of American Universities, a selective group of major research universities in North America, and is classified among R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity. In 2021, the university attracted support of over $634 million for research and spent $536 million on research and development according to the National Science Foundation, ranking it 50th in the nation.

The university consists of nine colleges and schools and offers over 150 academic programs, enrolling more than 35,000 students as of January 2022.  To date, 5 Nobel Prize laureates, 10 Pulitzer Prize winners, 11 MacArthur "Genius Grant" recipients, 1 Turing Award laureate, and 20 astronauts have been affiliated with CU Boulder as alumni, researchers, or faculty. In 2021, the university received over $634 million in sponsored research to fund programs like the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics and JILA. CU Boulder has been called a Public Ivy, a group of publicly funded universities considered to provide a quality of education comparable to those of the Ivy League. The Colorado Buffaloes compete in 17 varsity sports and are members of the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. The Buffaloes have won 28 national championships: 20 in skiing, seven total in men's and women's cross country, and one in football. The university has produced 10 Olympic medalists. Over 1,000 students participate in over 34 intercollegiate club sports annual

Willard Hall

Community kitchen   

Laundry facilities   

Lounge/study space   

Wi-Fi and high-speed internet   

Elevator

Bed and XL twin mattress

Desk and chair

Desk drawer with lock

2 (at least) drawer dresser

Wardrobe/closet

Trash and recycle cans

Mini-fridge 

Microwave 

Homestays

Homestay families are located in Boulder and in the cities surrounding Boulder.

All homes are located on convenient bus lines to the IEC.

Homestay families are carefully vetted and have passed background checks.

Homestay families provide a safe and nurturing environment and will assist the student’s adaptation to family and life in the U.S.

Most host families sign up because they are interested in learning about different cultures from around the world or they have lived/studied in different countries. Students are fully integrated into the host family as much as possible. 

Homestay families provide breakfast and dinner for their students. Meals are nutritional and well-balanced.  Dietary restrictions (allergies, vegetarian/vegan, and religious diets) are accommodated.

Students have a private bedroom with natural sunlight, access to wifi, a desk, a chair, a dresser, a closet, and a bed. There is also adequate storage space for clothes and personal belongings.

Students have reasonable use of the house and amenities: blankets, linens, towels, and access to laundry facilities.

Colorado, a western U.S. state, has a diverse landscape of arid desert, river canyons and snow-covered Rocky Mountains, which are partly protected by Rocky Mountain National Park. Elsewhere, Mesa Verde National Park features Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Perched a mile above sea level, Denver, Colorado’s capital and largest city, features a vibrant downtown area.

Colorado Tourist attractions

1. Rocky Mountain National Park

2. Vail and Nearby Mountain Towns

3. Denver

4. Mesa Verde National Park

5. Pikes Peak in Pike National Forest

6. Garden of the Gods

7. Durango and the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway

8. San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and the Million Dollar Highway

9. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

C4C

The Center for Community (C4C) is our extensive on-campus dining hall with 10 micro-restaurants featuring cuisine from around the world.

Old Main

Our first building, Old Main, was built in 1876 with donations from our generous community. It houses the CU Heritage Center, which showcases our history and campus in LEGOs-form.

Innovation Station

This makerspace is a place for students, faculty staff and community members to convene around innovation and entrepreneurship. Resources like coworking tables, 3D printers, VR stations, and art supplies are available for everyone to use so they can grow their ideas.

CASE Building

CASE (Center for Academic Success and Engagement) is filled with classrooms, study nooks and a coffee shop. It’s a great introduction to what it means to Be Boulder.

UMC

The University Memorial Center (UMC) is a place where students hang out, relax, eat and meet friends. Visit The Connection for bowling, billiards and games.

Rec Center

The place for all things athletic, our Rec Center is home to fields, courts, an ice skating rink and four swimming pools (with one shaped like a Buffalo).

Fiske Planetarium

Fiske Planetarium offers a range of immersive experiences, from films and star talks to laser sky shows and concerts. Fiske even hosts special gatherings for astronomical and NASA-related events. 

Norlin Library

The Library, named after the university’s fifth president, George Norlin, has more than 11 million volumes and items across its five branch libraries. Students can also take advantage of the 24-hour learning commons, research center, team technology rooms and the coffee shop.

Macky Auditorium

Macky Auditorium Concert Hall is a multi-disciplinary venue which serves the campus and the region by entertaining, educating and challenging audiences with high quality local, national and international performances and events

Visual Arts Complex

This complex houses two buildings: a studio in the west building and the CU Art Museum in the east building. The museum has a permanent collection of more than 5,000 works of art, and both building showcase public and student art.

Farrand Field

A popular student hang-out, Farrand Field is a great place to take a break in between classes, watch the CU Marching Band practice or play a pick-up game of Ultimate Frisbee. It also has an amazing view of Boulder’s iconic Flatirons.