Resources for Visiting Scholars
A complete explanation of the CKS visiting scholar application process is available on this website under Application Information. If you need further information about visiting scholar programs at UC Berkeley, you may consult two websites for up-to-date information. These websites are:
- Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA). The website contains complete information on the VSPA program.
- Berkeley International Office. This website contains information on such matters as the issuing of visa documents, immigration advising as well as advising services in other areas, including cultural adjustment, financial needs, work permission, family matters, general advising, liaising with other campus offices, and navigating our large university and the community around us.
Professional Travel Grants
Applications considered on a rolling basis
Maximum Award: $800
The Center for Korean Studies offers grants of up to $800 to visiting scholars for travel to present a paper at a professional conference. Travel grants are subject to any visa restrictions that may apply. Grants will be in the form of reimbursements for airfare, ground transportation, hotel expenses, and conference registration fees. Expenses in excess of the $800 maximum will not be reimbursed. If the total reimburseable expenses are less than $800, only the amount of the actual expenses will be awarded.
Note: Reimbursements to Visiting Scholars can take considerable time to process due to the amount of paperwork and number of approvals invovled. It is not uncommon for the process to take a month or more. Scholars must submit all receipts upon completion of travel, then create a vendor account (5-10 business days) and complete a GLACIER account (5-10 business days), and then wait for internal processing and approval.
How to Apply
Submit a proposal no longer than two pages with the following information:
- Name, location, and date of conference.
- Proof of invitation and/or a copy of the program or agenda; and, when applicable, a copy of the paper to be presented.
- Itemized budget of travel expenses.
- At the completion of travel, you will need to submit a brief (1 to 3 page) report, and may be asked to give a presentation.
Send to Dianne-Enpa Cho (diannecho@berkeley.edu).
Housing Information
There are several options for visiting scholars seeking housing in the Berkeley area. You will be responsible for making the living arrangements. General information on the Bay Area housing market can be found at the Cal Rentals website.
University Housing:
If you are here alone and wish to stay on campus, you may be able to find a room with shared bathroom at the International House; however, admission into International House accommodations are competitive and fairly expensive. You can find more about the program on the I-House website.
Off-campus Housing:
To find Off-campus housing in Berkeley or the surrounding areas, you will have to contact local agencies before or after your arrival in Berkeley. As always, be wary of scammers. Visit this website from Berkeley Housing on how to prevent yourself from fraud and scams. Several online housing resources are listed below:
- UCB Housing:(link is external) It is free to browse the website; however you must apply for a guest account. Go to the “Sign-up” tab and select “Guest House Hunters.” You will be asked to provide proof of you affiliation with UCB (please use your invitation letter). All housing is screened by the Cal Rentals department before it is posted.
- Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs Office: Housing Resources(link is external): includes a long list of potential housing resources, though please use at your own discretion.
- Postdoc listserv: VSPA maintains a mailing list (it is called the postdocnet listserv, but visiting scholars and landlords also subscribe to this list). Subscribers often post ads like furniture for sale, housemates wanted, or room/apartment available. You can subscribe by sending an email with a blank subject line to postdocnet@lists.berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail). In the body of the message type “subscribe postdocnet” and you will be able to start asking any questions you may have about life at Cal. After subscribing to the listserv, you can receive postings from members that include landlords or send postings by simply emailing an announcement to postdocnet@lists.berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail). You may also subscribe, if you have CalNet access, to the list serv at the embedded link.(link is external)
- Silicon Valley Koreans: This is a website for Bay Area Korean community. Often having a variety of resources but often having housing/rental opportunities. While most are based in South Bay (San Jose, Santa Clara, etc.) There are often housing opportunities in areas such Oakland, Berkeley, and Walnut Creek.
The housing market is very tight in the Bay Area and we are not able to make any reservations on your behalf or provide housing advising. Many landlords prefer direct contact with the tenant and space availability is often on a "first come, first serve" basis. We highly recommend that you do not sign a lease without examining the property in person, as it is very difficult to break a lease in California. To understand your rights as a tenant in Berkeley, Albany, and Richmind, please see the Berkeley Rent Board website(link is external), Tenant Services in Albany(link is external), and Richmond Rent Program(link is external).
We also suggest that you arrange short-term accomodations until you secure your more permanent housing. A complete list of local hotels and motels can be found on the Cal Rentals website.