International Students Each year, more than 1,500 graduate students from abroad apply to Northern Illinois University. International graduate students are an important part of the academic community at NIU. They pursue degrees and conduct research in every department of the university. All international students enjoy the benefits of working with the high-caliber faculty and facilities at NIU. Students in the sciences, engineering, and related disciplines especially benefit from the close relationship that the university enjoys with the Argonne National Laboratory and the Fermi Laboratory, two of the world's premiere research centers.