Visiting Scholars
I can sponsor a few visiting scholars each year who are interested in coming to ASU to work with me on projects related to second language writing. Due to the large number of requests I receive, however, I can only accept applications from researchers who have a clear and well-defined interest in second language writing.
While ASU will not be able to provide any funding or office space, there are some benefits to coming to ASU as a visiting scholar, including the following:
- Opportunities to meet and collaborate with faculty members and graduate students who are interested in second language writing
- Opportunities to meet a large number of internationally-known faculty members in applied linguistics, rhetoric and composition, and TESOL
- Opportunities to participate in and contribute to the Symposium on Second Language Writing.
- Opportunities to observe various undergraduate and graduate classes as well as language and writing classes (including a graduate course on second language writing research that I teach each year)
- Opportunities to attend various lectures, workshops and conferences that are held at ASU
- Access to ASU library resources and services, including electronic access to a wide range of journals and books
- Access to various technology and online resources
- Plenty of sunshine, all year round
- Easy access to Phoneix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX), a major international airport with direct flight to most major cities in North America
Note: At any point during the application process, please do not contact any other offices at ASU, including the English Department, the Dean's Office, and the Office of International Faculty and Scholars. Unless otherwise noted, all correspondences for visiting scholars interested in working with me should go through me. Also I will not respond to anyone who has not already chosen ASU as the first and only choice.
Step I
Initial Application. If you are interested in coming to ASU as a visiting scholar, please send me an initial e-mail with the following information:
- your name
- current institutional affiliation
- contact information (home and work addresses and phone numbers)
- the proposed period of stay at ASU
- 1-2 page statement of purpose, including a brief overview of the project to be undertaken while at ASU, what you hope to gain by coming to ASU, what you think you might contribute to ASU, and why I am the most appropriate person to sponsor your visit.
- curriculum vitae
- A few writing samples (published or unpublished)
- three letters of recommendation
- URLs for your institution, department, and your biography (or at least the page that lists your name)
- A scanned copy of your photo ID (e.g., passport)
- A signed letter stating your commitment to come to ASU. (Your paperwork cannot be processed if you are still negotiating with other institutions.)
In addition, please have a recommendation letter emailed directly to me.
Selection Criteria. Priority will be given to those who:
- indicates strong committment to coming to ASU (if there is any possibility of going to other institutions than ASU, no paperwork can be processed)
- have a research interest that is closely related to my own
- have a clear and realistic plan for projects to be pursued while at ASU
- have a vision of how the visit will contribute not only to their own professional development but also to the development of second language writing research in their own regions
- are interested in sharing their expertise and experience to the community of second language writing researchers and teachers at ASU
- have attended the Symposium on Second Language Writing
After the initial review, I will contact you to let you know whether I will be able to sponsor you as a visiting scholar. If you are an international visitor who needs to obtain a visa to enter the United States, please proceed to the next step after the initial application has been accepted.
Step II
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents. If you do not require a visa, please complete the Courtesy Affilication ID Request Form and send both an electronic copy (by email) and a hard copy (by mail).
International Visitor Application. If you are an international scholar who needs to obtain a visa to enter the United States, please send the following documents all in one packet both by email and by conventional mail:
- A hard-copy version of the Courtesy Affilication ID Request Form
- A hard-copy version of the Application to Begin New Program Form (complete sections 3, 7a, 7b, 8)
- A hard-copy version of the Visiting Scholar Data Form
- A legible copy of the photo and biographical information pages of your passport (If you are bringing family members, provide a copy of the photo and biographical information pages of their passport.)
- A hard-copy version of your curriculum vitae
- The signed Health Insurance Compliance Form
- A document such as a bank letter or award letter to show available funding of $1,200/month to meet the financial support requirements for your visit
Please arrange the documents in the order shown above and send all of them together in one packet to:
Paul Kei Matsuda
Arizona State University
Department of English
Box 870302
Tempe, AZ 85287-0302 USA
The sooner you send these materials, the sooner your paperwork will be processed. Don't wait until the last minute--rush order requests cannot be honored. If the documents are not complete, the application may be terminated at that point.
Applying for J-1 Visa. Once all the materials have been received, the International Students and Scholars Office will process the paperwork and visa application documents. This process may take a while. Please be patient. Then, with the documents, apply for J-1 visa at your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate. For more information about J-1 visas, visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html.
Step III
Arriving at ASU. Once you have your date of arrival and your flight schedule, please let me know. Depending on the availability, I will meet you at the airport or have someone come and pick you up. If not, various transportation options are available from the airport.
Once you arrive at ASU, please contact me to arrange a meeting. In addition, an international visitor on J-1 visa and their accompanying families are required to schedule an orientation meeting with the International Students and Scholars Office. Here are the specific requirements (provided by the ISSO):
The U.S. government requires that all J-1 Scholars report to the International Students and Scholars Office upon arrival. The J-1 Scholar will need to first report to his/her department where they will make clear copies of the documents listed below. Then, please contact the International Students and Scholars Office to set up a time to meet with an Immigration Specialist by calling the front desk at 480-727-4776 (ISSO). Appointments run Monday through Thursday and start promptly at 2:00pm for orientation/check-in. Please instruct the J-1 scholar to arrive to the ISSO front desk approximately 5 to 10 minutes (1:50pm) before the scheduled appointment. Scholar may go directly to the ISSO conference room number 154 in the Tempe Center Suite 150 at 2:00pm.
Please bring copies of the following documents along with the originals to orientation/check-in:
1. Copy of I-94 card usually found inside passport both front and back.
2. Copy of U.S. J-1 Visa inside passport.
3. Signed copy of DS-2019.
4. Copy of insurance. The insurance should contain the following information:
- Scholar name
- Insurance provider name (company)
- The period of coverage (beginning and end dates)
- Types and limits of coverage (table of benefits)
- Medical benefits of at least $50,000 (per accident or illness)
- Medical Evacuation of at least $10,000
- Repatriation of remains of at least $7,500
Additional insurance information: http://goo.gl/3ts9S
If you are uncertain whether a particular insurance policy will meet the Exchange Visitor Program requirement, contact the company directly, preferably in writing, identify the insurance plan you are considering and ask if their policy meets the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program standard.
Please note: if the scholar has dependents they will need to provide copies of dependent's document.
Housing. ASU will not be able to provide housing for visiting scholars; please make your own housing arrangements. You can use the Street View on Google Maps to view various streets around ASU campus.
Transportation. Visiting scholars are responsible for making their own transportation arrangements. There are a number of public transportation options:
- Phoneix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) provides direct flights to over 100 destinations throughout the United States
- Many local hotels provide free shuttle services; please ask the hotel when you make your reservation
- Valley Metro provides bus and light rail (forthcoming) services throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area
- FLASH (Free Local Area Shuttle) provides free transportation around ASU campus
- Orbit provides free shuttle service, connecting residential and commercial areas in Tempe
- Bicycle is a popular mode of transportation around campus
Climate. The Phoenix metropolitan area is hot and dry in the summer, but buildings are airconditioned, and it's warm and pleasant for the rest of the year--it's one of the most popular destination for retirees from throughout the United States. You might find this webpage helpful in learning about the climate in Phoenix area and how to cope with it.
