Paul Kei Matsuda
http://matsuda.jslw.org/

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:

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:

In addition, please have two recommendation letters emailed directly to me.

Selection Criteria. Priority will be given to those who:

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.

Transportation. Visiting scholars are responsible for making their own transportation arrangements. There are a number of public transportation options:

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.

Updated on December 17, 2009