How to become a Visiting Scholar in Gender & Women's Studies
The Department of Gender & Women's Studies at the University of California, Berkeley is able to accommodate a limited number of visiting
scholars each year to engage in significant independent research projects. Please allow a minimum of two months for processing of your application.
The Application Process
- Prospective visiting scholars should provide the department with a
current CV and brief description of intended research as well as a
beginning and end date for their visit.
- The Department Chair will review the application.
- If the request is approved, the applicant will receive the
Department Chair's letter of invitation, along with an e-mail from
the Manager explaining the process, providing application forms, and linking to applicable websites.
Fees
There are several fees involved in the process of obtaining Visiting Scholar status at UC Berkeley.
- $1,000 for department administrative fee if you are staying in excess of six months/ $500 if you are staying six months or less
- $410 for J-1 Visa plus SEVIS fee
- $400 for University Services fee
Information Regarding Visas
J-1 Visas
Most foreign visiting scholars will need to obtain a J-1 Visa to pursue their research in the Gender & Women's Studies Department. J-1 Visas are obtained by the issuance of a DS-2019 (which is the "certificate of eligibility"). There are several steps to securing a J-1 Visa and each step takes time. Plan for the visa application process to take 2-3 months, depending upon your home country.
- The applicant should contact the closest US consulate or
embassy in his/her home country to find out about applying for a J1
Visa. Consulate and embassy addresses, phone numbers, and
information about how long it takes to get a visa are on the US
Department of State web site at http://travel.state.gov. (Only
Canadian citizens are not required to get the J-1 Visa stamp in their
passports.)
- Due to internal security measures, allow UC Berkeley sufficient
time to complete the process necessary for issuing the DS-2019.
The process may take 2 months for the DS-2019 document to
reach the applicant--this includes initiating the paperwork, getting
approvals, producing the document, and mail or courier time.
- The applicant is advised to postpone making non-refundable
airline or travel reservations. There is no guarantee that documents
can be produced and delivered on short notice to conform to
premature travel plans. Per #2 above, the applicant should allow
sufficient time before his/her flight, make changeable reservations
or wait until having the DS-2019 document and J-1 Visa stamp in
his/her possession before making travel reservations.
- Most importantly, the applicant should not attempt to enter the
US in any other status other than the J-1. Scholars coming to UC
Berkeley in the improper immigration status have been unable to
extend their stay or forced to travel outside the US to change their visa status. In some cases, they have been detained at the border, denied entry and put on a return flight home at their own expense.
Additional Information
Mandatory check- in
The INS requires each visitor to check in with and provide a local
address to the Manager within 10 days of his/her arrival in the US, and to notify the Manager of each change of address during his/her stay.
Facilities
Visiting scholars have access to the University's libraries extensive materials and are given normal borrowing privileges, upon payment of the Berkeley campus fee ($400) for a campus identification card. This card permits access to other campus libraries as well as campus e-mail. Visiting scholars do not have access to secretarial services, office space, office supplies, and generally do not have the use of telephones, fax or express mail services. Visiting scholars are often able to consult with faculty members interested in their field of study, and to participate in the intellectual life of the department by attending presentations and colloquia.
Visiting scholars in the Department of Gender and Women's Studies will be given access to the following:
- Use of the department copier
- Use of the department scanner
- An email address @berkeley.edu
- A wireless connection to the internet
- A departmental mailbox
- 250 business cards
Living expenses
A single person must document support in the amount of at least USD $1,600 on living expenses per month. A married couple should expect to incur expenses of at least $2,100 per month plus $200 per child. Note that a bank statement in English or a letter documenting amount and source of funding is required for the DS-2019.
Financial aid
Gender & Women's Studies does not have funds to assist visiting scholars with their living expenses. Nor does it have sufficient staff to aid visitors
in securing outside funding.
Housing
Because of Berkeley's large student population and the limited
supply of apartments and houses, it is extremely difficult to locate
suitable housing after the school year begins. Renting a house or
apartment for less than 10 or 12 months is often difficult. Most
visiting scholars who intend to bring families should come in
advance of their families to look for housing, and finding suitable
housing often takes more than one or two days. Hotel accommodations while a family is looking for housing are expensive.
The following web sites might prove useful in securing housing:
Health Insurance
Visiting foreign scholars must either have adequate health insurance of their own or purchase health insurance through the university. For a detailed statement of the university's regulations, insurance programs, and costs, contact the health advisor at the Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way, 3rd Floor, 510.642.8640, or go to the website http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu.
Parking
Visiting scholars may purchase a permit to use certain university parking lots at the parking office, located at 2150 Kittredge, Berkeley, 510.642.4283, e-mail: prktrans@uclink.berkeley.edu.
Athletic Privileges
Visiting scholars may purchase a faculty/staff membership at the Recreational Sports Facility, located at 2301 Bancroft Way,
510.642.7796. A monthly, annual or semester membership is
offered. Scholars may purchase a faculty/staff discount card to attend football or basketball games at the Athletic Ticket Office, located at 2223 Fulton Street.
Questions?
Please address all questions regarding the Visiting Scholars
Program to the Gender & Women's Studies' Manager, University of California, Berkeley, Department of Gender & Women's Studies, 608 Barrows Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-1070, Phone: 510.643.6421, Fax:
510.642.0246, email gwsa@berkeley.edu
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