Center for International Studies : St. Cloud State University

Information for Departments: Inviting a J-1 Scholar to SCSU

The best way to bring world-renowned scholars to your department is to invite them, and the following forms contain everything you need to make it happen.

Tips for Hosting A J-Scholar

Pre-Arrival

Communicate
Establish communication with scholar by email to

introduce yourself
give them an idea what to expect
offer to answer any questions they have about preparing to come.

A faculty member with scholar hosting experience suggests using the steps of application to keep email communication alive:

Email when sending initial paper documents and request receipt response
When response received, email again and request notification when visa cleared
When this notification received, email again and request notification of flight/arrival details
When this notification received, email regarding housing needs and options (may need to combine steps 3 and 4)

Specific topics on which you may wish to communicate with scholars include suggestions for packing related to weather, arrangements for meeting them at the airport, how they might prepare for the academic work they will be doing, and/or reminding them to arrange for transition finances for the first month if they are not funded by their home country/institution.

Housing

Communicate with the scholar to determine what is needed related to financial resources, transportation and any accompanying family members.
Make arrangements for suitable housing prior to arrival. You may be able to find private rental opportunities through friends or colleagues, work with a realtor who can determine current availability, or use local apartment listings in printed or online formats. A short list of identified options is in the accompanying document “Housing for Scholars”.

Arrival and Welcome

Orientation to SCSU
Have designated people in your department help with the following orientation and hosting activities:

Pick up at the airport and help check in at first-night’s housing - hotel or apartment
Give tour of department at SCSU, introduce to colleagues, arrange for appropriate person to attend to set up details such as office/workstation use, computer availability, phone use, printer/copier use, access to supplies, etc.
Bring them or direct them to the Center for International Studies for check-in and orientation specific to International Student and Scholar Services
Set up or encourage them to set up tour of campus with Admissions Office, 308-2244
Accompany to campus offices the first time they need to do business there to facilitate communication
Set up an SCSU email account for the Scholar by completing the form and submitting it to the Helpdesk in Miller Center B43.
Provide information as needed for academic duties, designate a department member with home they can discuss curriculum and instruction questions related to the courses they teach

Getting Settled in St. Cloud

Show them how to use the Metro Bus system – perhaps ride with them the first time
Give a driving tour of the city St. Cloud
Take to appropriate offices in city to apply for Social Security Card and MN Driver’s License/ID card, if desired
Help to outfit their lodgings as needed by soliciting loans of small appliances/furniture from department members or friends, show them where to buy used items at discount or second-hand stores and garage sales

Experience Enrichment and Ongoing Support

The most meaningful part of any scholar’s experience is substantive academic and cultural interaction with students, faculty and others. Examples of ways to enrich the exchange experience for all:

Academic Opportunities

Arrange for scholars to be guests in classrooms if they are interested. Scholars may wish to present or discuss, or they may prefer to observe different disciplines and teaching styles
Foster interaction with other faculty through lunch outings, group meetings, introductions
Have the scholar give a presentation to your department or some other SCSU audience

Extracurricular Opportunities

Invite them to accompany you to professional meetings
Arrange for them to be guests at local service clubs, local business sites, local public institutions
Invite them for social events in your home or take them on an outing to an area attraction
Inform them of upcoming special events, festivals and entertainment options

St. Cloud State University

Center for International Studies - Invest in global education.

Living in the USA

Information for Departments: Inviting a J-1 Scholar to SCSU

Tips for Hosting A J-Scholar

Pre-Arrival

Arrival and Welcome

Experience Enrichment and Ongoing Support

International Students and Scholar Services (contact information)

	A-Z Index \| News \| Library \| Technology \| Support St. Cloud State \| St. Cloud State University Home Admissions Academics Student Life About SCSU Athletics Alumni & Friends Center for International Studies - Invest in global education. The Center for International Studies Future Students Current Students and Visiting Scholars Study Abroad Opportunities Overview International Students Visiting Scholars Living in the USA Cultural Sharing Programs Government Resources Health Information Income Taxes St. Cloud Area Resources Information for Departments: Inviting a J-1 Scholar to SCSU The best way to bring world-renowned scholars to your department is to invite them, and the following forms contain everything you need to make it happen. Tips for Hosting A J-Scholar Pre-Arrival Communicate Establish communication with scholar by email to introduce yourself give them an idea what to expect offer to answer any questions they have about preparing to come. A faculty member with scholar hosting experience suggests using the steps of application to keep email communication alive: Email when sending initial paper documents and request receipt response When response received, email again and request notification when visa cleared When this notification received, email again and request notification of flight/arrival details When this notification received, email regarding housing needs and options (may need to combine steps 3 and 4) Specific topics on which you may wish to communicate with scholars include suggestions for packing related to weather, arrangements for meeting them at the airport, how they might prepare for the academic work they will be doing, and/or reminding them to arrange for transition finances for the first month if they are not funded by their home country/institution. Housing Communicate with the scholar to determine what is needed related to financial resources, transportation and any accompanying family members. Make arrangements for suitable housing prior to arrival. You may be able to find private rental opportunities through friends or colleagues, work with a realtor who can determine current availability, or use local apartment listings in printed or online formats. A short list of identified options is in the accompanying document “Housing for Scholars”. Arrival and Welcome Orientation to SCSU Have designated people in your department help with the following orientation and hosting activities: Pick up at the airport and help check in at first-night’s housing - hotel or apartment Give tour of department at SCSU, introduce to colleagues, arrange for appropriate person to attend to set up details such as office/workstation use, computer availability, phone use, printer/copier use, access to supplies, etc. Bring them or direct them to the Center for International Studies for check-in and orientation specific to International Student and Scholar Services Set up or encourage them to set up tour of campus with Admissions Office, 308-2244 Accompany to campus offices the first time they need to do business there to facilitate communication Set up an SCSU email account for the Scholar by completing the form and submitting it to the Helpdesk in Miller Center B43. Provide information as needed for academic duties, designate a department member with home they can discuss curriculum and instruction questions related to the courses they teach Getting Settled in St. Cloud Show them how to use the Metro Bus system – perhaps ride with them the first time Give a driving tour of the city St. Cloud Take to appropriate offices in city to apply for Social Security Card and MN Driver’s License/ID card, if desired Help to outfit their lodgings as needed by soliciting loans of small appliances/furniture from department members or friends, show them where to buy used items at discount or second-hand stores and garage sales Experience Enrichment and Ongoing Support The most meaningful part of any scholar’s experience is substantive academic and cultural interaction with students, faculty and others. Examples of ways to enrich the exchange experience for all: Academic Opportunities Arrange for scholars to be guests in classrooms if they are interested. Scholars may wish to present or discuss, or they may prefer to observe different disciplines and teaching styles Foster interaction with other faculty through lunch outings, group meetings, introductions Have the scholar give a presentation to your department or some other SCSU audience Extracurricular Opportunities Invite them to accompany you to professional meetings Arrange for them to be guests at local service clubs, local business sites, local public institutions Invite them for social events in your home or take them on an outing to an area attraction Inform them of upcoming special events, festivals and entertainment options International Students and Scholar Services (contact information) 720 4th Avenue South - St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301-4498 Page Revised: 10/06/2009 Phone: (320) 308-4287 © 2009 St. Cloud State University Site Map \| Map & Directions \| Contact SCSU \| Accreditations St. Cloud State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer. 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