Thank you for your interest in becoming an Honorary Fellow, also known as a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures. Our department hosts individuals from other institutions to collaborate with our faculty while advancing their research. We have hosted individuals from Nankai University, Qufu Normal University, Shanghai University, and more.
Most successful honorary fellow applicants have a Ph.D.; strong applicants with a MA will also be considered. Our office will work with you in completing necessary university paperwork and requesting the DS-2019 for visa sponsorship; however, our office cannot provide financial support, housing, or office space.
An Honorary Fellow does have a campus email address, library privileges, and the right to audit courses with consent of the instructor. Honorary Fellows are expected to take an active part in the academic life of the department and the university, including delivering a lecture on the topic of their research in English.
Due to the lengthy process of requesting approval from the College of Letters & Science Dean and requesting the DS-2019, please start the process early by contacting faculty at least 5 months before your intended arrival in the United States.
We strongly recommend that Honorary Fellows use a proposed start of the 15th of the month and a proposed end date of the 14th of the month. Coverage for the required health insurance for international scholars begins on the 15th of the month and ends on the 14th of the month. Proposing a different start date will result in the Honorary Fellow being charged for an additional two months of coverage.
PROCESS
Application
1) Fill out the following form: Honorary Fellow Request Form
2) Contact the faculty member you are interested in working with
3) Provide faculty member with the following documents:
- Honorary Fellow Request form in Word or PDF document
- Curriculum Vitae
- Research Proposal
- Proof of English Proficiency – The English Proficiency Requirement can be satisfied by submitting documentation of at least one of the following:
- Copy of diploma from U.S. institution or foreign institution where instruction occurred in English.
- Copy of scores or transcript from either the TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 65 or the IELTS with a minimum score of 6.
- A signed letter from an academic institution or English language school that is internationally recognized indicating prospective exchange visitor’s level of English proficiency. The letter must be dated within the last two years, state the dates when the potential scholar attended the institutin or school and affirm that the prospective exchange visitor achieved at least two intermediate level skills.
- J-1 English Proficiency Interview Assessment Report from an interview conducted in English by host faculty member. The interview can be conducted in person, via Skype or other videoconferencing method. The host faculty conducting the interview must be proficient in English.
Honorary Fellows are selected based on the viability of their research plan and their fit with individual faculty and the department, and university as a whole.
Department and College Approval
If a faculty member is interested in inviting you after reviewing your materials then the ALC Executive Committee will decide approval for the invitation. If the Executive Committee agrees to invite you as an honorary fellow then the ALC department will make the request to the College of Letters & Science Dean for approval. When approved, the department will notify you by email and send an invitation letter.
Visa Request
After approval, an individual from the department will be in contact with you for further financial information to begin the process of requesting the DS-2019 for your visa (can take up to six weeks for request to be completed). For details on the financial requirements, visit the International Faculty Staff Services Office NOTE: English proficiency test scores must be received before the visa request can be made.
Housing
Unfortunately, the ALC department cannot provide housing for you during your program stay. You will be responsible for finding your own housing. Campus Area Housing has great information and is a great place to start your housing search.