Get involved in campus life!

Bloomington and IU offer clubs, sports, art, music, and more.

Fun and Entertainment

IU offers an endless supply of art, music, and theater. The Jacobs School of Music presents over a thousand student performances each year. The IU Auditorium hosts Broadway performances, concerts, and more. The Opera and Ballet Theater offers amazing performances in these classical traditions at the Musical Arts Center (MAC). The IU Cinema shows a variety of films in a state-of-the-art movie theater.

At the Indiana Memorial Union, you can enjoy a weekly film series featuring new movies, a bowling alley, and other activities throughout the year. IU Outdoor Adventures offers a bouldering wall, adventure trips, and camping and hiking gear so that you can plan your own outdoor fun.

Sports

You don’t have to be an all-star to participate in campus sports. You can find a wide variety of club sports, intramural games, fitness programs, and exercise classes. Hoosiers are also proud of our collegiate team and many students enjoy cheering them on by attending games in person or watching on TV.

Student Organizations

The Office of International Services is a great place to start getting involved on campus. Think of us as your connection to the university and to other international students. Check out our website for a list of events and international student organizations.

You are encouraged to participate in any of the student groups on campus, whether or not they have an international focus. You literally have hundreds of options. Most are free to join–you just need an interest.

Religion

IU students come from a wide variety of religious backgrounds and most are able to find a faith-based community in Bloomington. You can also find student groups who focus on spirituality through IU’s BeInvolved website or CARLA.

Dining on Campus

If you live in the residence halls, review your RPS meal plan options. All meal plans use a currency called I-BUCKS. You will receive 60% off posted cash prices for using your meal plan. IU offers restaurants and convenience stores (c-stores) all over campus that accept your meal plan.

You can use your campus access card or cash to eat on campus. Dining Services at IU works hard to provide food for a variety of diets, and they offer a staff dietitian to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Restaurants Off Campus

Bloomington has many restaurants close to campus. Kirkwood Avenue and Fourth Street are near the Sample Gates and offer a wide variety of options. Fourth Street is known for its ethnic restaurants and may be able to give you a little taste of home. Check out Visit Bloomington’s Restaurant Guide. Many restaurants even deliver food to your home or apartment.

Supermarkets

Most Americans buy food for a week or more at a time in supermarkets or grocery stores. These are large, comprehensive stores that carry all kinds of food, laundry, cleaning supplies, paper products, and nonpre-scription drugs. The major chain store in Bloomington is Kroger. There are also a few stores like Target and Walmart that sell food, clothing, home supplies, furniture, and other personal items you may need.

Specialty Foods

Bloomington also offers a number of stores that specialize in international cuisines. You can find many ingredi-ents that are close to what you can get from home. Supermarkets also have an international food section, but the specialty store will have more variety.

Some local favorites include: Blooming-foods, Btown International Market, Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market, World Foods Market, Apna Bazaar International Market, and 4th Street International Market.

Alcohol:

The legal drinking age in the state of Indiana is 21. You cannot purchase any form of alcohol or consume it until your twenty-first birthday. Public intoxication is considered a very serious offense. Learn more in Part II, section H-22 of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.

Shopping

Prices in U.S. stores are fixed, and bargaining is not an option. Vehicles are the exception; when buying a car, negotiation and bargaining are expected and necessary.

Bloomington offers a variety of unique local shops, but you can also find larger shopping centers where a number of stores are grouped together with ample parking. The largest shopping areas in town are the College Mall, Eastland Plaza, Whitehall Crossing, and Whitehall Plaza.

You may want to save money and shop for used items at a secondhand store. Items at these stores will be significantly less expensive, but may be slightly used or have a small, repairable defect. Many of these stores use their sales revenues to assist local charities. Items will range from clothing to household articles to furniture. Find them online by searching for “thrift shops.”

Sales Tax

Prices listed for retail items in the U.S. do not include state sales tax, so keep in mind that an additional 7% tax will be added to the price when you check out. For example, if you are buying an item that is listed as $10, sales tax will be added at checkout and your total amount due will be $10.70. This tax can add up, especially when purchasing more expensive items, so be sure that you have enough money to complete your purchase ahead of time.

Tipping

Though tipping for services is not mandatory, it is expected in many circumstances. If a restaurant seats you and offers table service, you are expected to tip. Fast food restaurants do not require a tip because a server is not providing table service. Servers in Indiana earn a very low base wage of $2.13 per hour. Servers are counting on customers to supplement this low pay with tips.

Think of your tip as merit pay to make a distinction between terrible, decent, and excellent service. A good rule of thumb is 10% for poor service, 15% for decent service, and 20% for excellent service.

If you are part of a large group, tips may be included automatically on the bill. Look for this near the tax at the bottom of the bill, labeled as “gratuity” or “tip” followed by a percent. In this case, you don’t have to give additional money, though you may do so if you wish. You will also want to tip taxi drivers, hair stylists, and movers.