Office of Global Education Faculty Opportunities

What are some of the benefits of long-term exchange?

Spending a semester or year teaching at one of our partner universities offers many new experiences. You will teach new groups of students. Those at Yale-NUS are 60% Singaporean and 40% international. At UIC, most students have Korean heritage but are residents of both South Korea and other parts of the world. Students at both Yale-NUS and UIC have chosen a liberal arts college - a new concept in Asia - over the more traditional university experience and a common thread among them is their zest for learning in new and different ways. At Doshisha, faculty teach at the Institute for Liberal Arts at Doshisha, which attracts students from Doshisha and also students one exchange for a semester or year.

You will forge new relationships with top scholars from around the world. You might find new avenues for research, perhaps in collaboration with your new colleagues!

Singapore, Seoul, and Kyoto are fascinating, dynamic cities, and you and your family will likely find time to explore Asia and South East Asia. Airports in both countries have inexpensive and regular flights to countries within the region.

What kind of compensation do faculty in the exchange receive?

You will continue to receive your regular salary and you will pay your living expenses as if you were in the U.S. Housing that is recommended for faculty in the exchange is subsidized, but you will still have to pay rent on a monthly basis. Faculty must apply for on-campus housing and, like at Amherst, it is subject to availability. The host institution can provide some guidance on finding local housing if on-campus options are not available or feasible for a faculty member's circumstance.

What might I expect in travel and other expenses?

The Office of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty will contribute up to $10,000 towards expenses related to relocating you (and/or your family) for the semester or year. For example, roundtrip tickets from Boston to Singapore or Seoul are approximately $1,500-$2,000, depending on your departure date and how far in advance you book your tickets. You are encouraged to consult with a tax specialist to understand your tax obligation in Kyoto, Seoul, or Singapore.

Can I teach the same courses I teach at Amherst?

You may propose any course to the host institution. Doshisha, Yale-NUS, and Underwood International College, like Amherst, have an academic governing body that will approve all courses - including courses taught by exchange faculty. 

At these institutions, the language of instruction is English and you will likely teach two courses per semester. You may have a couple thesis advisees. At Yale-NUS, faculty members may teach on the common curriculum, if they are interested. 

What housing options are available?

In Singapore, faculty may reside in Kent Vale, an apartment complex subsidized by Yale-NUS. A three-bedroom apartment is approximately $3,800 SGD ($2,800 USD), inclusive of utilities. Serviced apartments, with maid service and breakfast brought in, are also available at a (much) higher cost. 

In Seoul, faculty may apply for housing in faculty apartments on the Yonsei campus, subject to availability. Yonsei has a contract with DMC Ville, a residential community that does not impose a 2-year contract on home rentals, which is common in Seoul.

At Doshisha, faculty may reside in an apartment dedicated for Amherst visitors or Amherst House, which is a well-equipped guest house, both of which are on campus. 

I have school-aged children. What are their options for learning?

In Singapore, public schools are not a viable option for short-term visitors in Singapore and faculty with school-aged children will need to consider private school. International school tuition fees range anywhere from $12,000 USD - $25,000 USD.

In Seoul, UIC Yonsei can offer an honorarium up to $5,000 USD per year for a maximum of two children to attend private school. Public schools are not a viable option for short-term visitors in Seoul. 

In Kyoto, there are international schools that cost between $13,000-$15,000 (and higher). 

I have young children who are not yet school-aged and I may need childcare while I am teaching.

In Singapore, most families hire a helper to care for children. Costs can vary, but are generally in the range of $1,000 USD/month (which includes salary, insurance, government fees).

In Seoul, local kindergartens cost approximately 500 USD per month and English-speaking kindergartens cost approximately 1,000 USD per month. The website www.childinfo.go.kr/main.jsp has pre-school information, but it is in Korean. Please contact Janna Behrens for assistance in translating this page.

How does health insurance work while on exchange?

Faculty members will want to consider the Blue Care Elect Plan, a PPO available for the duration of the exchange. Out-of-network charges and deductibles apply; prescriptions are reimbursable via an appeal process. Consultation with BCBS about potential expenses for healthcare coverage is strongly recommended before accepting an offer to teach on the exchange.

How will my taxes work?

If teaching at Yale-NUS, faculty members will need to file taxes in the U.S. and in Singapore, though it is possible that a portion of the Singaporean taxes will be returned. Faculty are advised to work with a tax consultant for advice in advance of accepting an offer to participate in the exchange to best understand their specific tax situation. The College has retained PWC for consultation and tax preparation. A tax consultant may cost between $3,000-$5,000. 

If teaching at Underwood, Amherst faculty members will have to pay their regular U.S. tax as per U.S. tax law. The Office of Finance at Yonsei has confirmed that Amherst faculty, since they are not earning income from Korea, do not need to pay Korean income tax. However, faculty are strongly encouraged to consult with a tax specialist about their particular tax obligations.

In Japan, generally speaking, non-residents are not taxed on their foreign income. However, faculty are strongly encouraged to consult with a tax specialist about their particular tax obligations.

What research support might I receive?

Depending on the host institution and the faculty member's research area, our long-term exchange partners may be able to provide the faculty member on exchange with one student research assistant for approximately 10-16 hours per week for the semester.  Research assistants, if available, would not be selected until the faculty member was on site.

What travel documents are necessary?

All travelers will need a passport that is valid for at least six months after your intended return home. Each host university will provide you with the proper documents to apply for the visa. You will be required to cover the expense of the visa, but the funds offered to faculty in the exchange can help cover these costs. Legal dependents (according to the laws of the host country) will also be given supporting documents for their visas.