Given the questions that I received when trying to set up a visiting scholar appointment, I am collecting a few notes that I think can be useful for potentially interested visiting students or scholars in our department, before their interview process, as well as after they have been selected.

Disclaimer: these information are subject to change and do not reflect the view of Saint Louis University in any way; they are purely based on my personal view and experience, so they could be inaccurate.

Requirements for Visitors

To start a visiting period, you need to obtain a visa. Most likely it will be a J-1 visa. The university has a J1 Scholar Handbook. Please read it. If you need a J-1 visa, you'll need an invitation letter and the DS-2019 from our international office at Saint Louis University. To release such documentation, SLU asks the perspective visiting scholar to complete and return the following forms:

* [Department Form] _needs to be filled out partially by the hosting department_.

* [English proficiency certificate] The first paragraph of the Visiting J-1 Scholar Form requests english proficiency, for example with an official certificate, e.g., TOEFL. IELTS, Duolingo certificates have been also accepted in the past. The form, however, does not specify any minimum score for such English tests.

After filling up the Visiting J-1 Scholar Form and the Department Form, you will be asked to send them by email together with your phone number, your proof of funding and your certificate for English Proficiency.

Once you have sent all your documents, you will receive the DS-2019 form on your email to be printed and signed in blue ink.

Moreover, you need to pay online the I-900 SEVIS fee and print the receipt of payment.

You will also need to fill up online the DS-160 form and to print the confirmation at the end of the procedure. Filling up the DS-160 may be a little tricky so THIS website can help you.

Your next step is the interview with US Embassy and you can take an appointment on THIS website.

Warning: always check the documentation you need to have during your Embassy interview (it may change according with your citizenship).

Proof of Funding

Probably the most important paragraph of the Visiting J-1 Scholar Form is the last one: If you will be sponsored financially by an organization other than Saint Louis University, please attach a copy of the sponsorship letter. If you will be self-sponsored, please attach a bank statement (or every sort of documentation useful to state your bank balance) verifying availability of funds.

In 2024, SLU has asked to potential self-funded visitor scholars proof of self-expense coverage for at least $1600 per month. So if the visiting duration is 6 months, the scholar needs to show proof of access to $9600 during the overall period. Examples of acceptable sources a personal bank statement, or a bank statement of a student's parent. The amount does not need to be present at the time of the interview with the US embassy to obtain the visa, but a statement from the bank as a proof of future deposits may be necessary.

Required Health Insurance

Upon your arrival in the US, you need an health insurance compliant with some minimum required by the visa type. After being accepted as a visitor scholar, the international office at SLU will give you some other references on companies that sell such insurances. To find the health insurance that best fits your needs check THIS WEBSITE.

Life in St. Louis

Living Expenses

SLU requires proof of access to at least $1600 per month. THIS LINK is a good site showing living expenses in St.Louis (updated to Aug 2024).

Apartments: renting a room in a shared apartment can vary significantly from the area, but a safe range estimate is $800 - $1000 per month. Please check the housing market on craigslist.org.

Public Transportation: THIS LINK shows instead prices for public transportation in St.Louis.

Mobile Carrier: telephone operators’ prices are generally very high. Having a US number is surely useful, and it is required by many. A reasonably affordable option (Summer 2024) is Mint Mobile, but remember that not all mobile phones support virtual carriers as this one.

Where should I live in St.Louis?

The first thing you should consider is to live in a safe area. Here is a great interactive map you should use to assess where to live: https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/mo/crime

If you are coming to SLU as visitor student or scholar, the international office at SLU will give you some references (only if you ask) on how to find an apartment for rent mostly near SLU campus. Apartments on campus are reserved for SLU students but there are some residence (see below) that are basically on campus.

Keep in mind

Do not transfer money or book apartments without having seen them first; send a friend or book an hotel or airbnb for a few days while you find a stable apartment.
Often apartments are unfurnished, always check this aspect. Even furnished apartments do not have the necessities for living such as: dishes, pillows, sheets, shower curtains, etc. In any case, there is an IKEA near the campus.
Also evaluate houses on Airbnb: in this case there is already everything you need to live and bills are included in the rent. Many short-term visiting scholars are able to find good deals on airbnb.com or vrbo.com
Many believe that public transportation is not particularly efficient or safe at night in the Saint Louis area; also, winters can be very harsh at times so we recommend choosing a house not too far from campus. The university has good bike racks.

Apartments near SLU (Near North Campus: the computer Science Department is in this area)

Be aware that even though the Icon and Coronado Towers are ranked higher among students because they are among the most affordable and among the closest to campus, in the past there have been shooting incidents in these building Article here for the ICON and check article here for Coronado. The whole Midtown area immediately outside campus is not the safest according to many students but most visiting scholars agreed that the area near SLU does not feel unsafe during the day. Approximately 4000 students live on the SLU campus.

I think that some of these rental solutions are good, but some others may be a bit expensive. I would contact existing visiting students at SLU if you know that there are.

Generally safe and nice residential areas populated by SLU students and employees include:

How should I get around St. Louis?

In St. Louis, like in most other American towns, everyone drives a car. Many places are far from each other and public transportation is not super efficient. You should consider buying a car if you are staying for a year or so, or a bike if you are staying for 6 months.

Useful mobile apps and websites according to past visiting scholars at SLU

Here are some apps that you should download on your phone (you have to change your store to US):

Tripshot: SLU offers free car transportation to students. Use it to book a ride.

Revolut: a good app to manage your money. Free card and no fees (limited) for currency exchange.

Uber/Lyft: the most used apps for car sharing. Our experience is that often Lyft is cheaper than Uber in the St.Louis area.

Amazon: All SLU students have a 6-month free trial of Amazon Prime. (if you are a visitor you will have a SLU email account).

Explore St.Louis — YouTube Channel: The channel has many videos, For example, check out this documentary about the food scene in St.Louis

Final note

This website is great because students and scholars like you contributed to enrich it with valuable information. If you see that something is missing, or needs a correction, please let me know.

Department of Computer Science – Saint Louis University

Information for Visiting Students and Scholars

Requirements for Visitors

Proof of Funding

Required Health Insurance

Life in St. Louis

Living Expenses

Where should I live in St.Louis?

How should I get around St. Louis?

Useful mobile apps and websites according to past visiting scholars at SLU

Final note