Editor's Note: Joanna Adewunmi was interviewed in March 2025 about her experience as a former incoming international student. During the interview, she explained that her and her husband Tobi dreamt of buying a house in the Champaign or Urbana community. This dream was fueled by their desire to help new international students the same way they were helped when they first came to campus. On April 30, 2025 that dream came true for the Adewunmi family when they closed on their first home.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When Joanna Adewunmi missed her flight in August 2023, she never expected that the experience would set her on a path to working alongside International Student and Scholar Services.
Adewunmi was originally supposed to fly out of Nigeria with her husband and daughter in tow, bound for Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
On arrival, they would have patiently endured customs, maneuvered their way to baggage claim, exited from Terminal 5, embarked on another long journey to the (former) Bus Shuttle Center where they would have checked in with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and board a bus to their long-awaited destination— the Illini Union.
However, that missed flight resulted in Adewunmi having to make the journey by herself; navigating O’Hare Airport and traveling to Champaign to settle in before her husband and daughter could join her.
And that’s exactly what she did.
All while being a few weeks pregnant with her second child.
Joanna Adewunmi is a doctoral candidate in the School of Information Science, wrapping up her second year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
During her time on campus, she has made helping the international student community a top priority.
Which is why, in August 2024, exactly one year from when she first came to the United States as a new international student, Adewunmi volunteered for the ISSS Shuttle Service.
Illinois, Here I Come
There was a lot of uncertainty when she missed that flight back in August 2023, but when she reached out to ISSS they reassured her of one thing— she would have a spot on the bus.
Comforted by this information, Adewunmi boarded her new flight the next day and was off to America.
It was her first time traveling internationally, and her first time flying in general.
“It was tough,” she said, reflecting on when she finally landed in Chicago and tried looking for ISSS. “I couldn’t find the blue and orange (banners/signs) at first, but then I saw Jennie.”
Among the many faces in the very busy terminal, Adewunmi saw the same person who helped reschedule a new shuttle departure time, the same person who was compassionate and understanding about her situation, and the same person who reassured her by saying she would have a spot on the bus. That person was Jennifer Park, one of the ISSS assistant directors.
“I was like, ‘Hi, Jennie we’ve been messaging each other,’ and she remembered me,” Adewunmi said. “So, she helped me…and it was such a huge relief for me. I just loved it. I loved the reception.”
Wanting to Give Back
Adewunmi said her experience with the ISSS staff that helped her navigate O’Hare, the shuttle bus and with the graduate students who welcomed her to campus with open arms and a plate of food were the reasons she wanted to give back.
Because in the end each person she met on that initial journey helped her feel at home in a new country.
“That is why I signed up to work as a shuttle volunteer last summer (August 2024),” she said. “I love helping. I’m like everywhere in a positive way. I just love helping people settle down and feel at home.”
Adewunmi worked alongside ISSS staff to welcome new incoming international students to Urbana-Champaign, helped them unload their luggage from the shuttle buses, and showed them where they needed to go next.
Looking ahead, Adewunmi said she will continue to support new incoming students and give back to the community that helped her when she first came to America.
Whether that’s helping them settle when they arrive on campus via the shuttle bus or offering advice to help them transition to a new country.
In the long run, however, Adewunmi wants to do more.
“My husband and I are trying to buy a home here that we hope we can open to the African (international student) community,” she said. “For example, when someone comes (to campus), and they don’t know where to go at first, they can come to our home to unwind and relax and eat a Nigerian meal before they start classes. Everyone would be welcomed. That’s part of the legacy I want to leave behind.”
Words of Wisdom from a Former Incoming International Student
Thinking back to when she was a new incoming international student, Adewunmi said there’s several pieces of advice she hopes others will find helpful.
She mentioned that students shouldn’t feel pressured to pack a lot of clothes because there are plenty of stores and shops in town to grab the necessities.
She also noted that students need to check with customs first to figure out what food or items are allowed to enter the country, and to leave behind the bigger items like pillows, blankets, or winter coats.
Finally, she said the most important piece of advice she can give new incoming international students is to find a community.
When Adewunmi was admitted to Illinois, the first thing she did was start searching for other graduate students she could relate to and could ask for guidance and advice.
That was one of the best things she did for herself because when she stepped off the shuttle bus in front of the Illini Union for the very first time, the two graduate students she reached out to greeted her with warm smiles and a warm plate of food.
“They helped get so many things for us like a mattress, strollers, and food. Never be afraid to ask for help,” she said. “Finding a community is not overrated. You need to find a place where you belong whether that’s with people from your country or new classmates you meet…find your community especially if you’re not coming with family.”
Analicia Haynes is the storytelling and social media specialist for Global Communications at Illinois International. She can be reached at ahayn2@illinois.edu.