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⇒ Student & Scholar Advising ⇒ Faculty, Staff, & Visitors ⇒ J-1 Scholars ⇒ Scholar Newsletter: March 2009

Scholar Newsletter: March 2009

What’s New?

The Spouses Circle has started an English Conversation Club for spouses of J-1 scholars who want to practice English.  They gather on Tuesdays from 1–2pm at the International Center (111 S. Jordan Avenue).  A native English speaker leads the sessions.

Important Dates

March 8—Daylight Savings Time:

Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00am Sunday, March 8.  During Daylight Savings Time, clocks are turned forward one hour, moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.

March 9:

Second eight-week classes begin.  (First eight-week classed end March 7.)

April 15—Tax Day

April 15th is the deadline for filing both federal and state tax returns for income earned in 2008.  The VITA help sessions will start on March 3rd and end on April 11th.  To sign up for a VITA tax help session, please sign in to iStart, click on “Session Sign-ups” and then “VITA Tax Advising.”  (An email with more information was sent from INTLSERV to J-1 Scholars the week of February 23.)

Scholar Profile

Each month, we recognize the activities and accomplishments of one of our visiting scholars. We hope this information will be interesting and help you get to know others on campus.  This month, our featured scholar is Jorge Morales.

Jorge Morales, a native of Mexico City, Mexico, arrived in Bloomington in January 2009 to begin a Short-Term program in History and Philosophy of Science.  He holds a BA in Philosophy from Panamerican University in Mexico City, and is working towards his MA in Logic, Philosophy of Mind & Language at Mexico’s National University (UNAM).  In 2007, he won 2nd Place in the National Thesis Philosophy Thesis Award by the Mexican Association of Philosophy.  In 2008, he was awarded 1st prize in Biology in the 10th International Essay Contest “Reading Science” organized by the Fondo de Cultura Económica, the Public Education Department and the National Board for Science and Technology.

When asked about his research in Philosophy of the Mind, Jorge explained:

It is an area within philosophy that tries to understand three main problems.  First, what is the exact nature of minds?  Second, how does the mind work?  And last but not least, how similar are our own minds to other minds?  How close is the way I see the world with your way to see it?  Or, more interesting, how close is the way our minds work to the way nonhuman, animal minds work?

After his program at IU ends in June, Jorge is planning to go back to Mexico to present his MA thesis to finish the degree, and then apply for a Ph.D. program in the US.

We asked Jorge to share more about his experiences at IU:

Q: Why did you choose to come to IU?

A: It is definitely one of the best places to learn about mind, brain and animals.  History & Philosophy of Science, the Philosophy Department, and Psychology & Brain Sciences all have great specialists trying to understand the issues in my research.  Also, Colin Allen (HPSC professor) is an expert on cognitive ethology (the comparative study of animal minds) and philosophy of mind, and working with him is very beneficial and encouraging for my future research.

Q: What is one thing you enjoy about IU or the city of Bloomington?

A: I love how many interesting (and free!) cultural activities are going on around campus.  Movies, music, theater, opera, art, parties… And most amazing, almost everything is organized and actually performed by students.  It’s just great!

Q: Are you involved in any activities or events at IU or in Bloomington?

A: I try to swim at least three times a week at the SRSC and I like a lot attending the events at the International Center, which gives you a nice opportunity to meet both locals and people from all over the world.

Q: What advice do you have for other scholars, especially those new to IU and Bloomington?

A: Definitely go to the International Center activities.  It’s a great way to start integrating to the IU life.  Knowing other people pursuing similar goals and passing through similar processes is a good way to feel more comfortable in town and at IU.

J Regulation Reminder: Travel

If you wish to travel within the US during your J program, no permission is needed from OIS.  However, you should inform your host department of your plans and be sure to carry your passport, along with photocopies of your DS-2019 and I-94 documents.

If you wish to travel outside the US during your J program, you should:

1. Make sure that your passport is valid at least six months into the future.
2. Make sure that your J1 visa is valid.  If it has expired, or will expire while you are away, you will need to apply for a new J-1 visa stamp in your passport before returning to the US.
3. If you are traveling to a country other than your home country, consult with the appropriate embassy/consulate to determine what documents are required for entry to that country.
4. Submit a travel signature request via iStart at least two weeks prior to travel.  This is only necessary if your DS-2019 has not been signed for travel authorization within the past 12 months.  You will be contacted when the request is approved, with instructions to have your DS-2019 signed for travel.

Remember, travel outside the US includes Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and includes any form of transportation (land, air, sea).  Also, J-2 dependent status is tied to your J-1 status, so consult with OIS if you will be traveling without your dependent spouse and/or children for more than 30 days.  If your DS-2019 is issued by an organization other than IU (such as Fulbright), please consult with that agency regarding your travel authorization.

Upcoming Events

50th Anniversary of the International Center:

We will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Leo R. Dowling International Center with a reception on Friday, March 6th, 4–5:30pm, at 111 S. Jordan Avenue.  There will also be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the 3rd floor of the IC, which has been renovated to provide more space for international student organizations.  If you would like to attend, please log onto iStart and register for the Party at the IC!

Scholar Luncheon:

The next luncheon will be at 12:00pm on Thursday, March 26 at the International Center (111 S. Jordan Avenue).  Our guest will be Deeksha Nagar, Curator of Education at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures.  If you would like to attend, please email intlcent@indiana.edu by Monday, March 23.  For more information about the Mathers Museum, visit their website.

A Weekend of Hungarian Culture: March 7–9, 2009. 

All programs are free and open to public.  Questions? Send an e-mail to fulemila@indiana.edu using subject line “Hungarian.”

• Saturday March 7th, 7:00pm–Midnight: Hungarian Dance House with the Forrás Band, Bloomington Adult Community Center (349 S. Walnut Street).
• Sunday March 8th, 10:00am–1:00pm: Hungarian Dance Workshop with the Forrás Band, Bloomington Adult Community Center (349 S. Walnut Street).  The dance instructors will be J-1 Scholars Ágnes Fülemile and László Diószegi.
• Sunday, March 8th, 2:00pm: Faculty Recital by J-1 Scholar Csaba Onczay, Cello and Shigeo Neriki, Piano at Auer Concert Hall, corner of N. Jordan Avenue and E. 3rd Street. Music will include works by Beethoven, Lendvay, Kodály, and Debussy.
• Monday, March 9th, 6:30pm: Commemoration of the March 15th Hungarian Revolution of 1848.  Program and reception at the University Club, Indiana Memorial Union Room 150.

Things To Do

English Conversation:

There are opportunities to practice English several times during the week at the International Center (111 S. Jordan Ave).  The English Conversation Club meets 1–3pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and the Practical English Tutorials are offered 12–1pm on Saturdays.  Everyone is welcome to join the programs at the IC.  To view a full list of programs and events, visit the IC website.

18th Annual Indiana Heritage Quilt Show:

March 5–7 at the Bloomington Convention Center (302 S College Ave).  Quilting is a sewing craft that has served many purposes throughout history.  Come to the show to see this unique craft, sign up for a class, or enjoy shopping from merchants.  There is also a free shuttle bus service to enable you to see several exhibits around Bloomington.  For more information, visit their website.

Lotus Blossoms—Music, Art, Dance, and Storytelling:

Thursday, March 12, 2009, 7:00–8:30pm at the Mathers Museum (416 North Indiana Ave).  Native American performer Kevin Locke weaves his Lakota and Anishinabe heritage with a belief in the universality of the human spirit.  The program is free and open to the public.  For information about this and other events at the Mathers Museum, visit their website.

Bloomington Celtic Culture Weekend:

March 27–29, 2009 at the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU).  The event will include Irish-Gaelic coursework, language activities, music, dance, hurling (the ancient Irish field sport), and more.  There will also be outings to community sites to listen to music and have other activities.  For more information, visit www.indianaceltic.org.

Did You Know?

The 500,000-square-foot, seven-story tall Indiana Memorial Union (IMU) is one of the world’s largest college unions.  It is a popular place for students to study and relax, but it isn’t just for students.  The IMU serves as the community center for all members of the university community, and provides many services and amenities that are needed in daily campus life and in support of the mission of the university.  In addition to the hotel, meeting spaces, and dining services, you can also enjoy bowling and billiards at the Back Alley, catch a movie at the Whittenberger Auditorium, or take an art class at the Union Studios.

Sources: www.imu.indiana.edu, www.iub.edu/tour/cmps5.shtml

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