Lots to unpack: tips for those considering visiting positions abroad

As scholars we all belong to that global tribe known as the “international academic community”, and once in a while there may arrive a rare opportunity to accept a visiting position at an institution overseas. As someone who has worked in several countries in Europe, South-east Asia and East Asia, my advice is simple: if and when such an opportunity appears, take it. Having a string of stints abroad adds to your CV and profile in myriad ways and, on top of that, gives you ample opportunity to network with like-minded scholars and institutions, potentially finding academic companions for life.

Having said that, I would also make it clear that accepting a visiting position overseas is not as easy as it sounds. This is particularly true for those of us who happen to live and work in the developing Global South, for the sad reality is that we live in an unequal world and not all passports are created equal. To make things easier if and when the time does come, though, here are some things to look out for:

First, you should always begin by doing serious research into the institution that is inviting you, as well as into the host country. While some universities have embraced internationalisation with relish, their respective countries may not. You will need to carry this research out yourself – even if it is only for a short stint of a semester or half a year.

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One factor to consider is whether the institution inviting you has a dedicated department or unit that deals with overseas academics and students. Here at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany, where I am based, the university’s welcome centre played a pivotal role in my decision to accept the offer of a visiting professorship. The centre was set up specifically to help academics and students from abroad find their way to Germany, helping them fulfil all the requirements of German immigration. For those whose command of the German language is weak (and mine is truly basic), this was a great help indeed. Not all universities have these centres and, in such cases, the visiting academic would have to figure everything out for herself/himself, which can be a nightmare for many. So, step one would be to check if the host university has people there who can help as you prepare for the trip. Never be shy when it comes to asking for help in this regard.

The second thing to ask yourself is whether you’re willing and able to go alone or if you would need to bring your family with you. In my case I made it clear to the host institution that I would not be willing to come without my wife, and my advice is to be frank with your host institution from the beginning. Travelling with my wife meant that a second set of documents had to be prepared so she could join me on a spousal visa. Again, this requires prior research, as different countries have different rules and regulations when it comes to the issuing of spousal visas or family visas for children. For those with kids in tow, a host of other considerations arise: are there going to be local schools that cater to foreign children? Can your kids simply enrol into the local schools, or would they need an international school to cater to their needs? All this will add to the overall cost of your stint abroad.

Which brings me to the practical question of salaries and costs. Some visiting positions may offer a return ticket as part of the contract, while some do not. At present, the cost of long-distance travel in the post-Covid era is prohibitively expensive for many, and for those with families coming along, it might be so high as to render the venture futile. Always check with your friends and colleagues who work at the inviting institution about daily living costs – never rely on those generic charts and tables you find on the internet.

It would also be wise to get an understanding of the work culture at your host institution. Again, one should always be honest from the outset. The host institution may be an old one, where a certain work culture has developed over decades, and the visiting academic needs to understand the basic protocols of daily work: are you expected to attend every single meeting or departmental dinner? Are you allowed to rely on the secretaries or student assistants to help you with things such as photocopying or scanning documents? These may seem like mundane matters, but different places may have different rules regarding office work, and it would be wise to know them lest one end up stepping on the toes of others by accident.

In the final analysis, we need to ask ourselves why we would accept a visiting position abroad in the first place? For younger academics whose careers are just beginning, a stint abroad may add a tinge of prestige to their budding academic profiles, showing they are well regarded  by international institutions. But always remember that you are going overseas for work; this is not meant to be a holiday. Teaching and research await, but also the opportunities for collaboration, project designing and the possibility of collaborative work on a bigger scale later. As an academic who has always believed in, and pushed for, international cooperation, I can only state again: if the opportunity arises, do take it. But please do so with your eyes wide open.

Farish A. Noor is presently visiting professor at the standards of decision-making across cultures (SDAC) programme at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.

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