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How to be a good host
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Recommendations for academic departments
and faculty
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who invite international visiting scholars
The impressions and experiences of a visiting scholar you invite to Virginia
Tech largely depends on how he or she is received by the academic department
and the faculty members with whom he or she will be working. We are offering
some suggestions for making the first few weeks of your scholar's stay
at Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, and in the United States in general,
as pleasant as possible.
- Arrange airport pick up for the scholar, or send information about
the shuttle service from Roanoke to Blacksburg. Meeting the scholar at
the airport reduces the initial culture shock and stress all foreigners
feel when they first enter the United States.
- Assist the scholar with locating housing in Blacksburg. You may
refer them to the off-campus housing office and explain American customs
regarding signing leases and purchasing or renting furniture.
- Offer a guided tour of the campus. Show all the buildings the
scholar may have to visit for official business, such as Burruss Hall,
Owens Hall, Southgate Center, and the library.
- Explain the Blacksburg Transit System. Make sure the scholar knows
what the buses look like and where the bus stops are located.
- Assist the scholar with initial grocery shopping.
- Introduce the scholars to all the colleagues he or she might be
working with. Going out to lunch together may be a great icebreaker.
- Get the scholar involved in various department activities.
- Explain the parking policies on campus.
- Assist the scholar with opening a bank account and writing the
first check.
- Invite the scholar to your home or introduce him or her to other
American families.
- Take the scholar to the Office of International Research Education
and Development in 134 Burruss Hall to have his/her passport and DS-2079
form copied. At that time you will be able to schedule the orientation
program for the scholar.
We hope that you will feel free to extend this
list of recommendations and be able to offer both professional and personal
support to the visiting scholar. We wish that this be a mutually beneficial
experience for you and the scholar.
For further details please contact:
Dr. Gerald Berkley-Coats
Email: gberkley@vt.edu
Phone: 540-231-6459
134 Burrus Hall
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