Orientation and Information | Immigration Forms and Documents | Past and Present Scholars
Welcome to Western Oregon University! This is a brief overview of the information you will need to know about being a Visiting Scholar at Western Oregon University and about living in Monmouth, Oregon.
The links on this orientation site provides useful information and resources for all exchange visitors, including dependent family members. The most important resource for exchange visitors is the International Students and Scholars Affairs office located in Maaske hall at WOU. Staff members, students, mentors, and other faculty on campus can offer answers and referrals to any questions you may have.
Rules and Regulations:
Questions about Visiting Scholars and immigration should be directed to Adria Zampich-Gibbs in the International Students and Scholars Affairs Office.
Initial Arrival at WOU:
- Inform the ISSA office about your flight to the U.S. at the beginning of the term
- Find Housing
- Get a Cell Phone
- Set up a Bank Account
- Report to the International Students and Scholars Affairs office in Maaske Hall to make copies of your immigration documents such as your passport, DS-2019 and I-94 card within 15 days of your arrival in the U.S. Bring your living address and phone number.
- Get a Visiting Scholar Identification Card: Go to the Human Resources department on the second floor of the Administration building. You will need your welcome letter, passport and address in the U.S.
- Set up your e-mail account: Bring your WOU ID card and DS-2019 to the International Students and Scholars Affairs (ISSA) office in Maaske Hall. You may need to wait a few days while the computer system is updated with your WOU email address.
- Meet with your Responsible Officer in the ISSA office to set up a time for Orientation, a campus tour, and to have any of your questions answered.
- Pay the International Scholar Health Insurance within two weeks of the start of the term.
- Meet with your Department/Faculty Mentor; call, or email your mentor first to arrange an initial meeting to get to know each other and to plan how to follow your research plan. Decide what courses to sit-in on, what presentations you could make, or what data to collect..
- Begin and follow your Research Plan.
- Learn about life and customs in the U.S. and get involved on campus.
- If you would like to visit a local school in Monmouth or Independence, please contact and arrange this with Liz Halligan 503-837-0925.
The Current Student Handbook will have the most up to date information on getting settled at WOU and life and customs in the U.S. Please review this information before coming to the U.S. and while in the U.S.
Health Insurance:
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J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents must be covered by sickness and accident insurance for the duration of their stay in the United States. Failure to purchase such insurance may lead to loss of legal immigration status and termination from the Exchange Visitor Program. These Department of State (DOS) regulations are published in the Code of Federal Regulations [22 CFR 62.14].
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Minimum health insurance coverage must provide all of the following:
- Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
- In case of death, repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500;
- In case of serious illness or injury, payment of expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the Exchange Visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000;
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
- If you wish to purchase your own insurance from an outside company, it must be presented to the International Scholars Affairs office by the first week of the term for approval. Failure to submit the paperwork during the first week will automatically disqualify the WOU insurance waiver option. If the coverage does not meet the DOS minimum requirements, you will be required to purchase the WOU insurance plan. Proof of outside coverage must be in English and detail exactly what is covered and the amount for each coverage in USD. It must meet the Minimum health insurance coverage listed above.
- WOU Insurance Plan Information
- Local Medical Centers: WOU Student Health and Counseling Center, West Valley Hospital, Salem Hospital
- Note: Health insurance needs to be paid for within two weeks of the start of the term.
Transportation:
- Public Transportation in Oregon
- Note: Wolf Ride is only available for scholars with a WOU ID Number. Non-WOU dependents are not allowed to use this service.
- The International Students and Scholars Affairs office will provide scholars with the initial airport pickup at PDX. Scholars will need to find their own way to the airport to pick up dependents or for vacation travel.
- Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles and Licence Information.
Activities:
- Visiting Scholars are strongly encouraged to join a WOU International Student Club, and attend events at WOU and in the community. Participation in club events such as the Chinese Spring Festival or International Night are welcome.
- During ISSA office trips or events, fee-paying international students and WOU students get priority for sign-up and attendance. Contact Ermie Buncal to get onto the International-Activities listerv which includes information about events specifically of interest to international students/scholars <intl-activities@wou.edu>.
Other WOU Resources:
J-2 Dependents (Spouse or Child):
It is highly recommended that the exchange visitor get settled and begin their research plan before inviting a dependent husband/wife or child. Remember a visiting scholar's primary purpose of being in the U.S. is to conduct research and follow the original learning plan at Western Oregon University. Scholars which do not follow their research plan may be required to exit the U.S.
Information on Requesting a DS-2019 immigration document for a dependent:
- Complete the Family Invitation Letter Request Form.
- Submit a personal bank statement for $3,900 for a Spouse or $2,000 for a Child to prove financial support for one academic year (9 months).
- If the bank statement is from a parent or sponsor, they must complete the Financial Affidavit of Support which is page 3 of the admission page.
- Submit a copy of the dependent's bio page in the passport.
- After the visa is confirmed, submit a copy of the dependent's flight schedule to the U.S. The dependent's health insurance will be charged during the full term while the dependent is in the U.S. and it is recommended that the dependent come at the beginning of a new term. The health insurance must be paid within two weeks of being added.
Children Dependents who will attend a U.S. school (kindergarden through 12th grade) will need to submit an Immunization Record/International Certificate of Vaccination translated into English. Dependent children are not authorized for employment during the program, or attend school beyond the 12th grade. Local schools in Monmouth/Independence.
Spouse Dependents are eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (I-765 Form) from USCIS to work while in the U.S. Employment is not authorized until the EAD card has been received and a copy has been made in the ISSA office.
Dependents who violate their immigration status may have their immigration record terminated and be required to depart the U.S. immediately.
Meeting your Mentor:
Department/Mentor/Visiting Scholar Responsibilities
Tips for meeting with your faculty mentor and instructors:
- Introduce yourself to your faculty mentor before arriving in the U.S. through email; keep them and the ISSA office updated of your U.S. visa and arrival plans
- Review the department website and see what resources and opportunities they have available
- Plan to meet with your mentor at least once a term to plan how to proceed with your learning plan
- Develop a tentative schedule before meeting with your mentor of courses you wish to sit-in on
- Keep track of progress towards your learning plan goal by keeping a daily journal, or setting deadlines
- Get to know other professors within the department
- Contact the ISSA office with any concerns or questions about life in the U.S.
Benefits of talking with professors and faculty at WOU:
- Personalizes your learning in and out of the classroom
- Personalized letters of recommendation from close mentors and professors
- Creates long lasting relationships with professionals in the U.S.
Contact Information for the Private Sector Exchange Programs Division of the U.S. Department of State
Immigration Forms for Current Visiting Scholars
- Visiting Scholar Registration Form : Please complete this form as soon as you arrive in the U.S. and turn it in to the International Students and Scholars Affairs Office in Maaske Hall at Western Oregon University.
- Visiting Scholar Employment / Lecture Request Form : Visiting Scholars need to complete this form in order to participate in occasional lectures and short-term consultations on or off campus.
- Visiting Scholar Exit Questionnaire : Visiting Scholars need to answer these questions at the end of their program in order to get a “Certificate of Completion” from the Visiting Scholar Program.
- Extending your DS-2019: Visiting Scholars may extend their DS-2019 if they need additional time to reach their research goals. Obtain approval from your sponsor or home university, and provide an additional bank statement for $1,000 every additional month you wish to stay and continue your research in the U.S.
Photos and Articles of Past Visiting Scholars and their Research Topics
See what research and projects the current and past Visiting Scholars at WOU have been active in at the Past and Present Visiting Scholar page.
