This document is intended to help you prepare for international scholars who will be visiting IU Bloomington on a College of Arts and Sciences faculty exchange program managed by the College International Office (College International).
Hosting College exchange scholars
Section 1: Start the process
The College’s partner university will nominate faculty members who wish to conduct research and collaborate with faculty at IU Bloomington. College International forwards these nominations to the relevant department. Upon receipt of such a nomination, evaluate whether the nominee’s area of interest, potential collaborators, and the dates of the visit are appropriate for your department and faculty and contact College International.
Arrange for an office, desk, and/or work space for the visitor.
Decide who should be considered the “Host” for the visitor. This faculty member will be responsible for helping the visitor get settled in. Responsibilities would include picking up (or arranging for pick up) from the airport, escorting the visitor to the Office of International Services (OIS) on his/her first day to register for an orientation session, arranging a campus tour, introducing him/her/them to department faculty, and perhaps taking the visitor to get groceries or other necessities.
Contact College International with the "Host’s" name and contact information plus the location/address of the office the visitor will use. College International will get the visitor a university ID number and will initiate the application for the J-1 visa paperwork that IU’s Office of International Services will issue. College International will also share a list of suggested housing options with the visitor so that he/she/they may make arrangements.
Section 2: Prepare for the visit
Locate a key for the visitor to use to access the designated workspace, if necessary.
Contact the visitor to discuss any specific questions he/she/they may have and to discuss a possible itinerary for the first few days on campus or in Bloomington.
If any holidays will take place during the visit, consider possible options for the visitor, recognizing that campus may close and transportation may be limited.
College International will work with the host department to write a welcome letter for the visitor, which will be included in a welcome packet.
Contact College International with who will be meeting the visitor first (possibly at the airport) so that she can provide that person with a welcome packet to give to the visitor.
Section 3: Welcome the visitor
Ensure there is someone to welcome the visitor, possibly picking him/her/them up to bring to campus the first day, and escort to the Office of International Services (OIS) in Poplars for check in (details on the OIS check-in will be in the visitor’s welcome packet).
Escort the visitor to Campus Card Services to get a University ID/CrimsonCard.
Show the visitor the workspace that has been set aside and share any relevant information, such as building hours and doors that should remain open or always be locked.