LUXEMBOURG The U.S. Experience Presented by the Commission for Educational Exchange Between the United States and Belgium

LUXEMBOURG Mission Education Advising Center Website - Phone Outreach Resource Library Fulbright Grants Study/ Research Journalism/ Law/ MBA European Union Teachers/ Language Assistants

LUXEMBOURG Why the U.S.? Wide array of options Collaboration of scholars Active development and presentation of research Not just academic study Internationalize your CV Opportunity to travel to the US

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Belgian Student Mobility 2015: 1,001

LUXEMBOURG Interesting Facts New York University Columbia University Santa Barbara City College New York University Northeastern University Stanford University Duke University and Medical Center Harvard University The New School University of Chicago Top Undergraduate Institutions Top Graduate Institutions

LUXEMBOURG Five to seven years beyond a bachelor’s degree Academic or Professional Comprehensive exam and dissertation Doctoral Degree Doctoral research or post-doctoral positions May require fees Requires a letter of invitation/letter of admission Visiting Researcher Your Options

LUXEMBOURG What is a Postdoc? 8 8

LUXEMBOURG At most research institutions, a postdoc must satisfy all of the following specifications: 9 1.possess a Ph.D. or foreign equivalent conferred less than five years ago; 2.appointment may not total more than five years of service including previous postdoctoral experience at other institutions; 3.have an institutional source of funding, e.g., fellowship, traineeship, or equivalent external support; 4.pursue a program of research and training under the direction of a faculty member with approval of an academic department or organized research unit (ORU) and registration with the VSPA Program 5.may not have been employed as an assistant professor, associate professor, or professor (this is a Berkeley specification only)

LUXEMBOURG 10 The Postdoc Profile at a Glance There are approximately 60,000 postdocs in the U.S. Approximately 65% of all postdocs in the U.S. are international The median age of postdocs is approximately years 77% of postdocs have families 66% of postdocs are in Life Sciences

LUXEMBOURG The National Postdoctoral Association 11 The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) has over 150 institutional members representing more than 40,000 postdocs. Academic leaders and administrators are actively involved on the NPA Board of Directors and Advisory Board, as well as committees. Both U.S. and international postdocs are active in leadership roles on the NPA Board and Committees.

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LUXEMBOURG 13 Unique Issues for International Postdocs Visa restrictions and mobility Culture shock and social isolation Language problems (English is not a native language for the majority) Limited access to grant funding sources due to U.S. citizenship requirements Social Security Administration too slow (a government numerical ID is needed prior to starting your postdoc position) Unavailability of health insurance due to grant funding source restrictions Non-U.S. credit history not recognized in U.S. Complexities of IRS, tax treaties, and state tax systems

LUXEMBOURG 14 National Postdoctoral Association Resources Selected Publications Survival Guide for International Postdocs Quick Guide to Visas for International Postdocs

LUXEMBOURG Why be a postdoc? After years of being a Ph.D. student, your mother or brother ask: “Isn’t having a Ph.D. enough? Why do you need to do a postdoc?” Where should you be a postdoc? Many changes in industry, academic and government science employment reflect broader changes in the nature of jobs and job development. Less jobs are available in academia with more and more jobs available in other sectors, for example, government, law firms, the non-profit sector, and obviously in industry. 15

LUXEMBOURG Changes in the Academy 16 Companies and industrial sectors are forging stronger connections with universities—which is home to basic science and young scientists. Over the last 10 years, major research universities in the U.S. have recognized the need to support postdocs since they are the research engine that drive research efforts for faculty. To this regard, postdoc offices have cropped up all over the U.S. More focus on balancing the roles of knowledge production and dissemination.

LUXEMBOURG Trends in the Postdoctoral Experience Amount The number of new Ph.D.s who go into temporary positions immediately after graduate has increased substantially over the last 20 years. Length In the past, postdoc appointments lasted from 1 or 2 years. Today, the length of a postdoc experience can last as long as it takes to get a Ph.D. EXAMPLE In biological sciences, it is normal to have a postdoc experience for 4 – 6 years!!! 17

LUXEMBOURG Start early R EGISTER N OTE …for any required tests …all deadlines on a calendar 12 – 18 months …prior to departure E VALUATE C HOOSE D ETERMINE …your motivation & objectives …2 – 4 programs to apply to …all requirements

LUXEMBOURG How to choose o Location o Academic fit o Size of department o Opportunities – teaching, publishing, conferences, alumni o Resources – desk, libraries, MBA programs and commercialization offices o Cost?

LUXEMBOURG Searching te-schools.aspx te-schools.aspx schools/gradSchoolResearch.aspx schools/gradSchoolResearch.aspx Search academic publications to see where the authors are coming from Network at conferences and through your current professors Check the websites of professional organizations in your field

LUXEMBOURG GATHER DATA Talk to people around you who are in your field, for example, other professors who you may have not had a class with before. Review reports and articles about your field. Explore the world of work! Make an informational appointment with someone who is already employed in your area. This is a great way to find out how the real world is. Ask family members, friends of friends, and even strangers who work in a related area what they think about career prospects. Go on the internet. (Cold ing is OK!) Use your Career Center. 21

LUXEMBOURG CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY FOR YOUR POSTDOC EXPERIENCE When searching for a postdoc experience, see if that university or research institution has a postdoc office. If it does, this is a very good sign!! Postdoc offices in research universities have multiplied from a couple dozen to more than 100 across the U.S. Private and government research institutions also have responded to the need to provide career support needed to enhance the postdoctoral experience. 22

LUXEMBOURG Application Documents  Compelling statement of purpose (research plan)  CV plus extracurriculars  Writing sample or portfolio  Interview (if required)

LUXEMBOURG  Keep them informed of your progress  Be realistic about when you can actually arrive  Duration of training?  Goals during training?  Salary? Health care?  Visa? Family status? Student or professor?  Are you working on their project or your original works?  Collaboration with others? Once you have a host

LUXEMBOURG On official department letterhead Contact details included Should outline: – Your official status – visiting researcher, professor, etc. – Specific dates of stay – Resources available to you – desk, mailbox, salary, etc. Signed Letter of Invitation

LUXEMBOURG 3 Simultaneous Actions 1.Choose 2-4 universities 2.Determine what is needed to apply for each one 3.Look for financial support

LUXEMBOURG Funding Sources 1.Personal funding 2.Money from U.S. university o Research fellowship o Teaching assistantship o Salary 3.Loan o From a bank o From Lazard Foundation in Belgium 4.Scholarship from other organizations ◦ Fulbright, BAEF, Rotary ◦

LUXEMBOURG Financial Aid Assistantships Work For Institution in Research/Teaching/Administration for approx. 20 hours/week Provides Tuition + Living Stipend Limited departmental funding, so important to express interest early Fellowships Merit- and need-based Covers Costs, Admin, Living, etc. AND offers programming Government, Institutions, and Organizations

LUXEMBOURG Employment EducationUSA.state.gov Up to 20 hours per week (part-time) when school is in session and 40 hours per week (full-time) during school vacations/breaks Eligible while enrolled full-time in an academic program Depends on availability - average earning can be $1,500 - $2,500 per year On F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa - check with international student adviser on- campus On-Campus Employment

LUXEMBOURG Fellowships: Sciences – NRC Research associateship programs (science, engineering, atmospherical, aeronautical, OSHA, Energy, NOAA) – National Science Foundation – National Labs (ex. Lawrence-Livermore, Los Alamos) – National Academy of Engineering – American Western Universities (AWU) – NIH, NSF, HHMI – Foundations for disease research: American Cancer Society, Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Leukemia Society, March of Dimes – Industry: Pharma companies like Pfizer, DuPont, Amgen, Genentech, SAIC, Merck – General med research: Damon Runyon, Helen Hay Whitney, Charles King Trust, Jane Coffin Childs, Markey, Life Sciences

LUXEMBOURG Fellowships: Humanities Woodrow Wilson Post Doc Fellowships in Humanities Social Sciences Research Council American Philosophical Society Arts (Ahmanson, Getty)

LUXEMBOURG Common form of aid for American students Some private banks and financial institutions offer loans to international students as well, but usually at a higher interest rate and only with the support of an American co-signer In Belgium, the Fernand Lazard Foundation offers interest free loans of up to €25,000 for EU citizens. You can learn more about these here: Loans

LUXEMBOURG BAEF: Rotary: Other non-Fulbright awards: Scholarships

LUXEMBOURG Fulbright Awards

LUXEMBOURG “ to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries " former Senator J. William Fulbright

LUXEMBOURG o Students, Researchers, Lecturers o Mid-career journalists o Language teaching assistants o Secondary school teachers *Anyone without a Ph.D. at the time of departure is a student!* Who can apply?

LUXEMBOURG Up to $30,000 (average $15,000) Sickness and accident insurance J-1 visa sponsorship Discount on Brussels Airlines plane tickets to NY & DC In-country programming– including Gateway Orientations, Enrichment Seminars, and the Occasional Lecturer Fund Prestigious title and alumni network Benefits

LUXEMBOURG Belgian citizenship English proficiency Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree Academic excellence (generally a distinction every year or grand distinction in the last year of study) Admission or affiliation with an accredited US university or think tank Eligibility

LUXEMBOURG No J-1 visa in the student or scholar categories within the past two years Ambassadorial qualities necessary for educational and cultural exchange Must return to Belgium/EU for 2 years following grant gCountry.html gCountry.html Conditions

LUXEMBOURG How to apply? Final Application 3 letters of rec Transcripts Essay Provide letter of acceptance Notification Interview – 10 Minutes December 1 JanuaryFebruary Prepare As soon as possible

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Graduate Study, Pre-Doctoral Research, Post-Doctoral Research, or University Lecturing Open to all EU citizens whose projects relate to U.S.-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions Preferred minimum of three months experience in two or more Member States Preference given to candidates with at least two years of professional experience €2,000 travel stipend and €2,000 or €3,000 month Fulbright Schuman

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Visit the Commission’s website in your home country for more information Austria Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Slovak Republic Spain Sweden Turkey United Kingdom Russia Ukraine EU Fulbright Offices

LUXEMBOURG Royal Library Albert I, 3rd Floor Boulevard de L’Empereur, 4, Keizerslaan B-1000 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 (0)