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

Scholar Newsletter: May 2009

What’s New?

Indiana University will host a free electronic waste recycling drive on Saturday, May 2.  The program will be open to the general public May 2 from 9am to 2pm in the parking lot north of Memorial Stadium (North Dunn and East 17th streets).  More information is available at indiana.poweron.com.  Anything that could potentially contain sensitive data will be shredded, and equipment dropped off will be recycled and kept out of landfills.

Important Dates

May 4–8:

Final examination period for spring semester classes.

May 9:

Commencement ceremonies.  Expect extra traffic around Bloomington as families join students for the ceremonies.  There will also be many people moving out of residence halls and apartments, and visiting local shops and restaurants.

May 12:

Classes begin for Summer Session I.

May 25:

Memorial Day holiday.  Classes do not meet, and university offices will be closed.

Scholar Profile

Each month, we recognize the activities and accomplishments of one of our visiting scholars.  We hope this information will help you get to know others on campus.  This month, our featured scholar is Shahin Bayramov from Baku, Azerbaijan.

Shahin Bayramov came to IU in January 2009 as a visiting scholar through the Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP).  The JFDP is a program of Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the US Department of State.  He is hosted by the IU Economics Department and the Inner Asian & Uralic National Resource Center (IAUNRC).  He obtained both his bachelor and master’s degrees from the Department for International Economics, Azerbaijan State Economic University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. there.  His Ph.D. thesis topic is “European Neighbourhood Policy and prospects for Azerbaijan’s integration to the European Economic Area.”  He also is a lecturer at the university, where he teaches classes in International Economics and International Trade.  At the same time, he is an expert on the Permanent Committee on Science and Education of the National Assembly (Parliament) of Azerbaijan.

Shahin was a participant in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Accession Negotiations of Azerbaijan in Geneva, Switzerland (2005–2006), and was winner of the Swiss Leadership Award in International Relations in Geneva, Switzerland, 2008.  He has also participated in seminars, workshops and training courses in Germany, Switzerland, France, Japan, Turkey, the US, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Shahin is currently featured on the JFDP website for his volunteer work.  He was also recently recognized as a Second Prize Recipient for his exemplary participation in the 2009 JFDP Mid-Program Virtual Conference.

We asked Shahin to explain more about his experience at IU:

Q: Why did you choose to come to IU?

A: The Department of Economics at IU is one of the highly ranked departments in the United States, offering comprehensive coverage of major fields in modern economics.  The well-organized classes, very interesting workshops and debates, and mainly friendly staff make this Department the best place to improve teaching skills and conduct research.  At the same time, IU has a unique body like the Inner Asian & Uralic National Resource Center (IAUNRC).

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

A: I think, a diversified cultural scene is the main spiritual wealth of IU, and it makes IU very attractive.

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

A: I’m attending classes like “International Economics,” “Economics of the European Union” and “Trade Policy and Economic Development.”  I have joined to the Sixteenth Annual Central Eurasian Studies Conference and have made presentation at the Jordan River Economics Conference organized at IU.  I really enjoyed joining to the Noon Concert Series on Fridays at the International Center.  I have enjoyed volunteering both at the Midwest Pages to Prisoner Project and Tri-North Middle School in Bloomington.

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

A: I advice other scholars regularly visit to the International Center of IU.  It’s really great place to enjoy your free time and to make friends.  At the same time, I advice new scholars maximally and efficiently use all of the services offered by the Herman B. Wells Library.

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 J-1 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

AsianFest at the Farmers’ Market

will be Saturday, May 2, 10:00am–12:00pm at the Showers City Hall Atrium and Outdoor Stage area (corner of 8th St. & Morton).  The Asian Culture Center in cooperation with the City of Bloomington’s Safe and Civil City Program and Parks and Recreation departments cordially invites you to Asianfest celebration.  Come and enjoy the diversity within Asian cultures through cultural performances, art crafts, and cultural activities.  For more information, please email acc@indiana.edu.

Shakespeare’s The Tempest

will be performed May 6–9, with a cast of J-1 Scholars from South Africa and students from IU’s Department of Theatre and Drama.  All performances are at 7:30pm at the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center (7th Street and Jordan Avenue).  The production is being re-staged after the success of the 2007 African Tempest Project, when several IU students traveled to South Africa to perform alongside students from the University of KwaZulu Natal.  The production will be directed by South Africa-native Murray McGibbon, an award-winning IU faculty member in the Department of Theatre and Drama.
African Tempest
IU news

For ticket information, see the press release or visit the Theater & Drama website.

Things To Do

Sing Along with Bloomington Music Together

will be offered at the Mathers Museum (415 N Indiana Ave) on Sunday, May 3 at 2:00pm.  This free family-friendly event focuses on young children (infants through five years old).  The event will be sponsored by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.  For more information, email mathers@indiana.edu.

The Kirkwood Observatory

offers public open houses each Wednesday, 9:30–11:00pm, March through November.  The observatory is located behind Bryan Hall, near the intersection of 4th Street and Indiana Avenue.  For more information, visit the Department of Astronomy website.

Homegrown Indiana Farm Tours:

Bloomington Parks & Recreation will offer farm tours on May 17, July 19, and October 4.  For more information about this event, contact Marcia Veldman at 349-3738 or veldmanm@bloomington.in.gov.  For information about other Bloomington Parks & Recreation programs, consult the Summer Program Guide, or visit the Bloomington Parks website.

Did You Know?

In Thomas Gaines’ 1991 book, The Campus As a Work of Art, he named the IU Bloomington campus one of the five most beautiful campuses in America. (Source)

In January 2009, the Arbor Day Foundation honored Indiana University Bloomington as a Tree Campus USA University for its dedication to campus forestry management and environmental stewardship. (Source)

In February 2009, IU named its first Director of Sustainability, Bill Brown, who will develop and coordinate a program of environmental stewardship and energy conservation, along with other programs. (Source)

(Photos by Jennifer Ashcraft)

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