Native Speaker TA Program (NSTAs)

Every academic year the Modern Languages and Cultures Department invites a French, Spanish, and German speaker to live and work with us at Albion College. Native Speaker Teaching Assistants (NSTAs) are university students in their early twenties from French, Spanish, or German-speaking countries that spend one academic year at Albion College as a special non-degree student. Native Speakers live along with language students in the I-Space in Fiske House to encourage and give residents more opportunities to use their target language.

The native speakers are a vital component to the Modern Languages and Cultures Department as well as to the I-Space. Due to their role in the department and in the I-Space, native speakers hold a special position of respect at Albion College. While attending classes, they lead weekly language tutorials to help students work on their conversational skills and grammar. They conduct weekly evening cultural activities in each particular language house in I-Space. They observe and assist professors in the classroom. Their company and leadership are welcomed at the weekly language tables in Fiske House. NSTAs plan at least one “mega” cultural language event. These events combine fun and social activities with educating the campus about the food, traditions, history and geographic regions associated with their language. In addition, as members of the I-Space Council, native speakers help to decide which campus community events, such as Briton Bash and Homecoming, I-Space will participate in and help to organize and rally support for it.

Which US visa will I need?  Non-degree seeking students attending Albion College (Exchange Students or Native Speaker TAs) will be issued a DS-2019 by Albion’s Center for International Education.  This DS-2019 is used to apply for a US J-1 visa.

Where do I apply for a US visa? 
The US Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence will aid you in applying for and receiving a US visa.  Each has slightly unique requirements, so it is important to look at the website of the US Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.  Visit usembassy.gov for the US embassy nearest you.

Scheduling your US Visa Interview:

• Your SEVIS ID Number is located on the top right side of your DS-2019.  It begins with N.
• Albion College Program Number is P-1-10714
• Submit required SEVIS I-901 Fee at: www.fmjfee.com
• Sponsor name and address is Dena Reuben, Albion College, 611 E. Porter Street, Albion, MI, 49224, [email protected], 517-629-0392.
• Click the consulate nearest you from the U.S. Department of State website for visa application instructions and processing times

When applying for your J-1 student visa, it is important to remember that J-1 is a non-immigrant visa type. Visa interviews usually last only 1-3 minutes and the visa official is looking for you to convince him/her that you do not plan to immigrate to the U.S. and do plan to return to your home country after completing your degree at {Your institution’s abbreviation}.

See Albion’s International Student Enrollment Checklist for additional details.

J-1 exchange participants must report to Albion College by the scheduled orientation session, and participate in a required immigration “check-in” with the Center for International Education Director. Exchange visitors are at all times expected to maintain a valid DS-2019 and passport. Upon entry to the United States, the J-1 student will receive an electronic I-94 document, which should be checked and confirmed to state an authorized stay of “D/S.” D/S stands for “duration of status” and refers to the program period listed at item 3 on Form DS-2019. The definition of J-1 “duration of status” is the period specified on Form DS-2019 “plus a period of 30 days for the purpose of travel.”

J-1 exchange participants must engage in appropriate activities, and be employed only with authorization. Unauthorized employment is a violation of program status.

• Report to the International Student Adviser at the school you are authorized to attend on your DS-2019 for validation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Follow Department of State (DOS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and university transfer procedures to attend a new school.
• Not work, either on or off campus, unless specifically authorized on your DS-2019.
• Always have a valid, unexpired passport, DS-2019, and I-94 card. A valid J-1 visa is not required to maintain J-1 status.
• Obtain a new DS-2019 prior to starting a new academic program.
• Notify the CIE of each change of Albion address within ten days of the move.
• Leave the U.S. by the anticipated completion date on your DS-2019. If you must remain in the U.S. past your completion date, request an extension of your DS-2019 by the person who signed your DS-2019.
• Abide by the J-1 grace period rules, including remaining in the U.S. for no longer than 30 days after completing a full course of study or a period of full-time Academic Training.
• Pursue a full-course of study in your degree program every long semester unless approved for reduced enrollment by your International Student Adviser.
• Make normal progress towards completing your course of study by completing your studies before the expiration of the program completion date on your DS-2019.
• Maintain sufficient insurance coverage for you and your dependents for the full period of stay in the U.S.

The U.S. Government, Department of Homeland Security, requires students with a J visa status to follow specific requirements while studying in the United States. Schools, including Albion College, provide advising and oversight to international students about the federal regulations and the SEVIS system.

J-1 exchange participants must report to Albion College by the scheduled orientation session, and participate in a required immigration “check-in” with the Center for International Education Director. Exchange visitors are at all times expected to maintain a valid DS-2019 and passport. Upon entry to the United States, the J-1 student will receive an electronic I-94 document, which should be checked and confirmed to state an authorized stay of “D/S.” D/S stands for “duration of status” and refers to the program period listed at item 3 on Form DS-2019. The definition of J-1 “duration of status” is the period specified on Form DS-2019 “plus a period of 30 days for the purpose of travel.”

Native Speaker TAs will be authorized for employment during the international orientation process, and should verify this authorization with the Center for International Education before beginning work. Native Speaker Teaching Assistants must complete at least two academic courses per semester and may engage in independent research related to their fields of study. These activities, combined with the teaching activities, meet J-1 visa requirements for full-time, non-degree students pursuing a prescribed course of study. The Albion College Modern Language Department coordinates the mandatory Native Speaker TA orientation activities prior to classes starting.

J-1 exchange visitors are required to maintain sufficient insurance coverage for themselves and their J-2 dependents for the full period of stay in the U.S.

Albion College’s J-1 students are provided with a Health Insurance plan while they are enrolled at Albion College. Insurance cards are available upon arrival at Albion College. Albion College’s J-1 professors are required to independently purchase and maintain insurance that meets the U.S. Department of State requirements.