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:

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:

In addition, please have a recommendation letter 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.

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:

  1. A hard-copy version of the Courtesy Affilication ID Request Form
  2. A hard-copy version of the Application to Begin New Program Form (complete sections 3, 7a, 7b, 8)
  3. A hard-copy version of the Visiting Scholar Data Form
  4. 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.)
  5. A hard-copy version of your curriculum vitae
  6. The signed Health Insurance Compliance Form
  7. 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:

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 January 31, 2012