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, linguistics, TESOL and rhetoric/composition
• 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

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)
• 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• A few writing samples (published or unpublished)
• e-mail addresses of three references
• URLs for your institution, department, and your biography (or at least the page that lists your name)
• A scanned copy of your photo ID (passport, driver's license)
• A signed letter certifying your intent to coming to ASU.

In addition, please have two recommendation letters 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.

International Visitor Application. If you are an international scholar who needs to obtain a visa to enter the United States, please complete the visiting scholar data form and email it back to me as soon as possible.

In addition, please send the following items by conventional mail:

1. A hard-copy version of the visiting scholar data form
2. A hard-copy version of your curriculum vitae
3. A legible copy of the photo and biographical information pages of your passport (and for each family member who will accompany you, if applicable)
4. The signed health insurance compliance form
5. 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
6. A signed letter stating your committment to come to ASU. (Your paperwork cannot be processed if you are still negotiating with other institutions.)

Please send all these items 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--requests for rush order cannot be honored.

Applying for J-1 Visa. Once all the materials have been received, the Office of International Faculty and Scholars 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. An approximate visa wait time is available at the U.S. Department of State website.

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. If you are an international visitor, please be sure to check in with the Office of International Faculty and Scholars, who will provide an orientation. In addition, please contact me upon your arrival to arrange a meeting.

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.

• What you need to know about living off campus
• Apartments in Tempe

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.