Universal Languages</h1> <article> <h1>Universal Languages</h1> <p>eburnett — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 20:06:20 +0000</p> <span>Universal Languages</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-07-06T16:06:20-04:00" title="Thursday, July 6, 2023 - 16:06">Thu, 07/06/2023 - 16:06</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Kenji Anderson grew up around native Japanese speakers. His mother is Japanese, and when his family visited his grandparents in Japan, he would pick up words and phrases along the way. But it was his Japanese classes at �鶹��Ƶ that expanded his knowledge and fueled his passion for the country’s language and culture.</p> <p>As a <a href="https://piaweb.princeton.edu/">Princeton in Asia</a> teaching fellow, Anderson looks forward to strengthening his language skills and immersing himself in the local community of Yakage, a town in the Okayama prefecture, which will be his home base for at least the next year. As a fellow, Anderson, who departed for Japan on June 19, teaches English in local preschools and provides administrative support to the Yakage Town Hall.</p> <p>“One of the really great things about Princeton in Asia is the focus on community,” he says: “Both the community of the other fellows, but in particular, the community that you’re entering into, because we have specific roles and specific jobs cut out for us in the community.”</p> <p>Anderson, a 2022 �鶹��Ƶ grad who studied <a href="/node/3441">English</a> and <a href="/node/24141">piano performance</a>, also pursued his interest in <a href="/node/388191">Japanese culture and language</a> through his classes and social ties on campus. He credits an East Asian studies course on fantasy in Japanese literature and movies for sparking his interest in the subject.</p> <p>“I’ve always been really interested in living in Japan,” he says. “Over my time at �鶹��Ƶ, my general interest in Japan became combined with my interest in English and literature.”</p> <p>Anderson also took several Japanese language courses. “It was a cool way to really work on a skill that I grew up around. It was also great to have the language-learning process <em>defamiliarized</em> to me.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kenji Anderson came to �鶹��Ƶ to study English and piano—and left with a deepened love of Japan.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-07-13T12:00:00Z">Thu, 07/13/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Brittany Moseley</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2357">Double Degree Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25336">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25346">English</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/english" hreflang="und">English</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">In addition to his studies toward a double degree, Kenji Anderson fueled his fascination for Japanese culture through �鶹��Ƶ courses and social events.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Kenji Anderson</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32097" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--quotemark" data-text-color-red data-text-size-giant> <p>�鶹��Ƶ’s <a href="/node/24686">Double Degree Program</a> was definitely what drew me in. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to study in the college coming in, so I landed on the English major, which was also one of the best gifts of �鶹��Ƶ.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27745" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>Anderson grew up in “a pretty musical household” in Emporia, Kansas. He began taking piano lessons at an early age and went on to learn the violin. For a while, he considered life as an opera singer. When it came time to apply for college, he was interested in studying at a conservatory, but also wanted to attend a school that was academically strong. For him, �鶹��Ƶ was the perfect fit.</p> <p>“�鶹��Ƶ’s <a href="/node/24686">Double Degree Program</a> was definitely what drew me in,” he says. “I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to study in the college coming in, so I landed on the English major, which was also one of the best gifts of �鶹��Ƶ.”</p> <p>Anderson sees a connection between his chosen majors. Without even realizing it, he invokes musical references when talking about his English major (“Texts are a great instrument for learning about life generally,” he says at one point). He even conjoined them for his English honors thesis: a musical literary analysis on opera, which focused on the art form’s text.</p> <p>Outside of his coursework, Anderson was involved with the Japanese Student Association, which celebrates traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through events held throughout the school year. Early on, he also worked with Ballet �鶹��Ƶ in a musical capacity and contributed to the student newspaper the <em>�鶹��Ƶ Review</em> as well as the student-run literary publication <em>Wilder Voice</em>.</p> <p>Anderson admits that �鶹��Ƶ’s close-knit campus community—roughly 2,900 students pursuing studies across the college and conservatory—was a surprise at first. In time, that very dynamic became a highlight of his experience here. “By the end, it’s really nice, because you can’t get too wrapped up in your own world,” he says. “You run into people so you’re pulled back into the community. That’s a really valuable experience I had at �鶹��Ƶ.”</p> <hr> <p><em>Founded in 1898 and affiliated with Princeton University, Princeton in Asia is dedicated to promoting appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the U.S. and Asia.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>South-of-the-Border Second Home</h1> <p>eburnett — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:37:28 +0000</p> <span>South-of-the-Border Second Home</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-06-16T11:37:28-04:00" title="Friday, June 16, 2023 - 11:37">Fri, 06/16/2023 - 11:37</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Anna Sheik makes no secret of her love of languages, teaching, and culture.</p> <p>Born in Philadelphia, she spent a transformative year in Cuernavaca, Mexico, prior to beginning studies at �鶹��Ƶ. The gap year presented immense challenges: After all, she had studied German—not Spanish—throughout middle school and high school. Yet Sheik immersed herself in the culture: enrolling in a local school, living with a host family, and forging enduring bonds. </p> <p>“When I first arrived in Mexico, I didn’t speak any Spanish,” she says. “But by the end of the year, I had gained a new language and formed lifelong friendships. I also developed a deep appreciation for Mexican culture and realized that I love traveling and exploring new places and communities. I’ve wanted to return to Mexico ever since.”</p> <p>In May, Sheik graduated from �鶹��Ƶ with majors in <a href="/node/70776">history</a> and <a href="/node/3406">Latin American studies</a> and a minor in <a href="/node/3206">Hispanic studies</a>. A former resident advisor in �鶹��Ƶ’s <a href="/node/4086">Spanish House</a> residence hall, she’s now set to return to the country that originally sparked her fascination for Latin American culture and teaching: This summer, she embarks on a year-long adventure as an English Teaching Assistant in Mexico, an opportunity made possible through the <a href="https://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/fulbright-us-student-program">U.S. Fulbright Program</a>.</p> <p>Throughout her four years at �鶹��Ƶ, Sheik worked with <a href="/node/55496">America Reads</a>, serving as a literacy tutor at the local elementary school. The experience allowed her to witness the transformational power of education: From guiding young minds as a tutor to her tenure as a student-leader, she found that teaching became a rewarding facet of her college experience.</p> <p>It’s a feeling she also sensed during her gap year, when she volunteered to teach the string section of an elementary school orchestra. With her own limited Spanish proficiency at the time and her students knowing little English, she used a combination of languages, hand gestures, sounds—and above all, music—to fashion an effective means of teaching. The experience cemented her belief in the value of music as a language-teaching tool, a skill she looks forward to utilizing once again in the year ahead.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Anna Sheik returns to Mexico to follow her love of language, history, and teaching.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-06-16T12:00:00Z">Fri, 06/16/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyler Applegate</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3501">Teaching & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25276">Latin American Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4796">�鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25226">Education Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=245971">International Affairs</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/yorki-encalada" hreflang="und">Yorki J. Encalada Egúsquiza</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/pablo-mitchell" hreflang="und">Pablo Mitchell</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/latin-american-studies" hreflang="und">Latin American Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/hispanic-studies" hreflang="und">�鶹��Ƶ</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pull-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32092" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--quotemark" data-text-color-red data-text-size-large data-text-size-giant> <p>I’ve had so many incredible professors at �鶹��Ƶ, but I’m especially grateful to these two for believing in me from the beginning.”</p> <p style="text-align: right;"><em>—Anna Sheik, on professors Encalada and Mitchell</em></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27736" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>Sheik returned to Mexico in 2022 for research made possible through an Artz Grant earned through �鶹��Ƶ’s History Department. “My honors project, on representations of La Malinche—the infamous Mexican translator for Cortés—in Mexico and the Borderlands from 1960-1980, led me deep into histories of Mexico and U.S.-Mexico relations that I hope to observe further in my year abroad,” she says. She credits a longtime �鶹��Ƶ mentor, Professor of History and Comparative American Studies <a href="/node/5906">Pablo Mitchell</a>, for guiding her development in research throughout her time at �鶹��Ƶ. “This past year, he advised my honors project, which I could not have completed without his wisdom and encouragement,” she says.</p> <p>Sheik also credits Hispanic studies professor <a href="/node/122501">Yorki Encalada Egúsquiza</a> for nurturing her interests in Spanish language and teaching. By her senior year, she served as his teaching assistant for two intermediate Spanish courses—an experience she calls “instrumental in my role as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant."</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Professor Pablo Mitchell (left) was instrumental in guiding Sheik's research on Mexican history and U.S.-Mexico relations. (photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97) </figcaption> </figure> <p>“I’ve had so many incredible professors at �鶹��Ƶ,” she says, “but I’m especially grateful to these two for believing in me from the beginning.”</p> <p>As she steps into the next chapter of her life as a Fulbrighter, Sheik is filled with anticipation to return to a part of the world she loves so deeply.</p> <p>“I’m hoping my upcoming year will shed some light onto what I want to pursue next, whether that is teaching and education, foreign relations or immigration work, or going back to school for history or Latin American studies.</p> <p>“I’m really excited to explore more of Mexico,” she says: “See old friends, make new ones, and to soak up more Mexican history wherever I go.”</p> <hr> <p><em>The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries by sponsoring students and scholars to study, teach English, and conduct research overseas. The U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program, Fulbright supports exchanges between the U.S. and more than 150 countries around the world. In February, �鶹��Ƶ was named a <a href="/news/oberlin-top-producer-fulbright-students-2022-23">top producer of Fulbright students</a> for the 14th consecutive year. It ranks third among U.S. colleges and universities on the all-time list, with more than 260 Fulbright recipients.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Full Immersion</h1> <p>eburnett — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:50:14 +0000</p> <span>Full Immersion</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-06-15T09:50:14-04:00" title="Thursday, June 15, 2023 - 09:50">Thu, 06/15/2023 - 09:50</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>At �鶹��Ƶ, Dewi Beer developed twin passions for teaching and studying Mandarin. Now the spring graduate, who completed majors in <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> and <a href="/node/3341">East Asian studies </a>and an integrative concentration in <a href="/node/25226">education studies</a>, will examine effective education systems and dive deeper into her language studies as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant—or ETA—in Yulin, Taiwan.</p> <p>“I have always had an interest in education, and the opportunity to teach in a different education system and bring back what I learn to a possible career was very attractive to me,” says Beer, who is from San Francisco. “I took the most advanced Mandarin classes offered at �鶹��Ƶ, and I’m excited to put what I learned into practice and further develop my language skills through full immersion while working as an ETA.”</p> <p>Beer is grateful to her professors and other mentors for encouraging her to take challenging courses—among them Chinese calligraphy.</p> <p>“�鶹��Ƶ exposed me to a higher level of language learning and gave me a level of confidence that will make a difference in my experience in Taiwan,” she says.</p> <p>Beer also credits �鶹��Ƶ for fostering a solid foundation in teaching that spanned multiple settings. She taught a music class in �鶹��Ƶ’s Langston Middle School under the guidance of Professor of Music Education <a href="/node/6816">Jody Kerchner</a>, part of a conservatory course in <a href="/node/42011">Pedagogy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement</a> (PACE). She also designed lesson plans for multiple student-taught <a href="https://www.oberlinexco.org/">Experimental College</a> (ExCo) courses and after-school programming for the middle school. From 2019 to 2022, she served as a mentor in the Girls in Motion ExCo, which is dedicated to empowering young people through dance.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Dewi Beer’s love of teaching and language converge in a Taiwanese fellowship.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-06-15T12:00:00Z">Thu, 06/15/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tessa Sternal ’25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2580">Experimental College (ExCo)</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25226">Education Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25336">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25341">Economics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/jody-kerchner" hreflang="und">Jody Kerchner</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Dewi Beer graduated from �鶹��Ƶ with majors in economics and East Asian studies—and a fully formed passion for teaching.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Dewi Beer</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32091" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class data-text-color-red data-text-size-large data-indent> <p>Beer looks forward to studying language at local universities, working with fellow Fulbright ETAs and teachers and students—and trying “as much Taiwanese food as possible.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27735" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>�鶹��Ƶ also opened the doors to international travel. Beer has experience learning and researching abroad through a pair of very different <a href="/winter-term">Winter Term</a> projects in China: one of them a <a href="/node/3361">geosciences</a> excursion that traveled to Sichuan Province and the other a volunteer position as a teacher’s assistant at an orphanage for children with developmental disabilities in Tianjin.</p> <p>In Taiwan, Beer looks forward to studying language at local universities, working with fellow Fulbright ETAs and teachers and students at her placement school—and trying “as much Taiwanese food as possible, especially the seafood.” She also plans to learn to ride a scooter.</p> <p>Though she’s unsure of her next steps after her year in Yulin, she’s considering options that revolve around education policy and law.</p> <hr> <p><em>The <a href="https://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/fulbright-us-student-program">Fulbright Program</a> was established in 1946 to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries by sponsoring students and scholars to study, teach English, and conduct research overseas. The U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program, Fulbright supports exchanges between the U.S. and more than 150 countries around the world. In February, �鶹��Ƶ was named a <a href="/news/oberlin-top-producer-fulbright-students-2022-23">top producer of Fulbright students</a> for the 14th consecutive year. It ranks third among U.S. colleges and universities on the all-time list, with more than 260 Fulbright recipients.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Russian Evolution</h1> <p>anagy — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 20:45:15 +0000</p> <span>Russian Evolution</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-06-01T16:45:15-04:00" title="Thursday, June 1, 2023 - 16:45">Thu, 06/01/2023 - 16:45</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>When �鶹��Ƶ native Emma Kim started taking Russian courses at �鶹��Ƶ College as a high school student, she never dreamed that she’d grow to love the language so much that she would eventually double major in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/russian/curriculum">Russian and East European Studies</a> (REES) and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history">history</a>.</p> <p>“I enrolled in Russian classes out of pure curiosity, having no experience with the language, culture, or history,” says Kim, a second-year student. “It was very difficult at first, but I think the most important part of language learning is perseverance.”</p> <p>Her hard work has paid off: This summer, Kim will spend two months in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as a recipient of the prestigious <a href="https://clscholarship.org/">Critical Language Scholarship</a>. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, this initiative supports and expands the number of Americans mastering foreign languages considered critical to national security and economic prosperity. </p> <p>In the Kyrgyz capital, Kim will live with a host family and immerse herself in local culture while taking formal Russian language classes at the American University of Central Asia. Her eight weeks of studies there will amount to the equivalent of one academic year of university-level coursework.<br> <br> This won’t be Kim’s first experience with an international language scholarship program. In 2020, the <a href="https://www.nsliforyouth.org/">National Security Language Institute for Youth</a> offered her the opportunity to study abroad in Moldova; when the pandemic forced the program to go digital, Kim spent her gap year studying virtually from her home. </p> <p>By 2022, Kim lived in Armenia as part of a two-month summer program. “I had no previous introduction to Caucasus culture, and being there profoundly impacted my experience with learning Russian,” she says. “Apart from pure language growth, I was finally able to form real, intimate relationships, and I became so much more aware of the post-Soviet space in general.”</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Russian lecturer Maia Solovieva, left, meets with Emma Kim.</figcaption> </figure> <p>At �鶹��Ƶ, Kim has continued expanding her Russian skills—even serving as a teaching assistant for a 300-level class. Ever aware of her deepening connection to the language during a time of Russian diplomatic turmoil, she greatly values �鶹��Ƶ’s approach to the <a href="/campus-resources/bulletins/russian-invasion-ukraine">Russian invasion of Ukraine</a>.<br> <br> “Right now, teaching and learning Russian has a lot of political and imperial connotations, and as a student of the language, it's important to be aware of it and to acknowledge it,” she says. “�鶹��Ƶ’s Russian Department has done a good job of dealing with this dilemma. We do a lot of Russian cultural events together, but we’re also constantly discussing the current political situation.”<br> <br> Kim is especially grateful to Professor of Russian <a href="/tom-newlin">Tom Newlin</a>, who introduced her to the language, and Russian lecturer <a href="/maia-solovieva">Maia Vladimirovna Solovieva</a>, with whom she meets every week. “<a href="/nicholas-bujalski">Nicholas Bujalski</a>, who teaches Russian history, has also helped me to expand out of the strictly linguistic and curate my sense of the region,” she adds.</p> <p>Upon arriving in Bishkek, Kim will be paired with local language partners who will engage her in conversational Russian and introduce her to everything the city has to offer. </p> <p>“I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and completely immersing myself,” she says. “I’m excited to learn more about central Asia and Kyrgyz culture, but my ultimate goal is to get to know the city well, make local friends, and find a place for myself.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Curiosity led Emma Kim to study Eastern Europe at �鶹��Ƶ. Now a state department scholarship has her curious about living and studying there.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-06-01T12:00:00Z">Thu, 06/01/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kate Bigam Kaput</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25426">Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25456">Russian</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/maia-solovieva" hreflang="und">Maia Solovieva</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/russian" hreflang="und">Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pull-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Finding a Calling in �鶹��Ƶ's Writing Associates Program</h1> <p>anagy — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 16:58:41 +0000</p> <span>Finding a Calling in �鶹��Ƶ's Writing Associates Program</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-02-23T11:58:41-05:00" title="Thursday, February 23, 2023 - 11:58">Thu, 02/23/2023 - 11:58</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Ryo Adachi cultivated interests in education and writing through a variety of peer mentorship positions at �鶹��Ƶ. A 2022 graduate, Adachi came to �鶹��Ƶ as as an international student. She studied <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics">math</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics">economics</a> with minors in <a href="/linguistics">linguistics</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies">East Asian Studies</a> and a concentration in <a href="/education-studies">education studies</a>. In addition to her coursework, she gained experience as a writing and speaking associate, a Japanese conversation tutor, a teaching assistant for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), and a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/resources-and-support/pal">peer advising leader</a> (PAL), part of �鶹��Ƶ’s support network for new students.</p> <p>After graduation, Adachi started working full-time with the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/resources-and-support/wap">Writing Associates Program</a> at �鶹��Ƶ. On February 25, Adachi will facilitate an interactive workshop, “Overcoming the Comfort Zone,” in collaboration with the Office of Entrepreneurship and the Office for Disability & Access.</p> <p>Read more about Adachi’s career entry in the following Q&A.</p> <p><strong>How did you develop an interest in writing and communication while at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong></p> <p>Initially, it started from an interest in language education. During my first year, I was a Japanese tutor and took a class in Japanese language pedagogy. I then also took Kim Faber’s language pedagogy class, which furthered my interest in language education. As part of the class, I worked as an ESOL TA, teaching English lessons to international students. Tutoring and working with students led to being a writing associate. As I grew up bilingual, I resonated with the program’s core values that emphasized embracing language diversity.</p> <p><strong>What did you learn from your mentorship and teaching positions on campus?</strong></p> <p>I learned about the importance of reflection, especially as an ESOL teaching assistant. I originally had rigid lesson plans, but learned the importance of being flexible in my teaching. I was also informed by reflections of past experiences. Even though I’ve done a lot of workshops and presentations, I always reflect on what went wrong and how things can be improved next time. I also learned the value of building good boundaries with students. It’s possible to be sympathetic to students’ struggles while cultivating responsibility.</p> <p><strong>Which people at �鶹��Ƶ had the greatest impact on your experience?</strong></p> <p>Along with cultivating an interest in language education, Kim Faber encouraged me to spend more time writing. There was a specific assignment where she complimented my writing abilities and told me I had potential as a writer. Her comment was the first time I thought about pursuing writing more seriously. She really made an impact on me, and I still see her a lot. Additionally, Tania Boster, former director of the <a href="/bcsl">Bonner Center</a>, who played an important role in my college life. First as an academic advisor and then as a mentor. Tania Boster always listened to me and connected me with people on campus. She was very supportive throughout my college career.</p> <p><strong>How did you end up in your current role as the Writing Associates Program Fellow?</strong></p> <p>I first became involved in the Writing Associates Program at �鶹��Ƶ in the fall semester of my third year. During my last two years at �鶹��Ƶ, I was working on a lot of different projects for the program. I worked as a Writing Center writing associate, course writing associate for three different classes, and a speaking associate. With the involvement I had in the program, it made sense that I could fit into this role after graduation. Given my passion for language and writing education, I felt like this position would enhance my experience in the field.</p> <p><strong>Can you describe your responsibilities in the role?</strong></p> <p>I do a lot of logistical work in the writing and speaking centers to ensure that everyone gets the information they need. This includes training student writing associates and ensuring they are paid for their work. I also am in charge of workshop programs and outreach. I lead workshops that give writing and speaking advice that tailors to different audiences and contexts. For example, I work with the office of <a href="/fellowships">Fellowships and Awards</a> to help students with personal statements for programs like the Fulbright fellowship, Truman scholarship, and Goldwater scholarship. I also work with the <a href="/undergraduate-research">Office of Undergraduate Research</a> to support students who are applying for various summer programs.</p> <p><strong>What’s next for you after this role?</strong></p> <p>Down the road, I’m very interested in working with multilingual students and international students. Finding a way for everyone to incorporate their own unique voice and tap into linguistic resources is very important to me. I’m hoping to pursue literacy education.</p> <p><strong>Do you have any advice for students interested in your position?</strong></p> <p>My advice is to keep a teaching journal and record what you are thinking before and after lessons. It’s really helpful to look back and see what changes you can make.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Ryo Adachi helps students hone their writing and speaking skills—a role she started as a student.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-02-23T12:00:00Z">Thu, 02/23/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Ava Miller '25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2396">International Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25236">Linguistics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25226">Education Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25336">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25341">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25401">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Ryo Adachi graduated from �鶹��Ƶ in 2022.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Students Find Creative Spanish Immersion in �鶹��Ƶ’s Casa Hispánica</h1> <p>anagy — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 20:12:16 +0000</p> <span>Students Find Creative Spanish Immersion in �鶹��Ƶ’s Casa Hispánica</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-11-22T15:12:16-05:00" title="Tuesday, November 22, 2022 - 15:12">Tue, 11/22/2022 - 15:12</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>�鶹��Ƶ College, a campus filled with international and domestic students speaking an array of languages and practicing a spectrum of cultures, has affinity houses for different communities. One such place is the Harvey House, or <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/hispanic-studies/la-casa-hispanica">La Casa Hispánica</a>, which regularly organizes social and cultural events, workshops, and talks. Filled with students who are native-Spanish speakers of Hispanic heritage and non-Hispanic students wanting to immerse themselves in a Spanish-speaking environment, one of the house’s most notable components is its language table—El Rincón.<br> <br> Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during lunch time, native Spanish speakers, students from Spanish 101 classes, and everyone in between gather in a conference room in Stevenson Dining Hall to take advantage of their peers’ willingness to help learn the language. Wayleen Arrieta Ariza, the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/hispanic-studies">�鶹��Ƶ</a> program assistant, says,“I like that you can practice your Spanish or the fact that you can take a topic from class and you can apply it to the table.”</p> <p>While the Spanish table is one of the more visible learning opportunities offered by the house’s community, Harvey House does a lot more. Events have included trivia and movie nights, celebrations of different holidays, and an annual Latino Festival. The most recent Latino Festival was hosted at a local retail store, Ben Franklin, in early October. Students and faculty showed up to taste home-cooked cuisine, hear Portuguese and Spanish music, and enjoy the opportunity to speak Spanish to peers and professors.</p> <p>The cultural immersion at �鶹��Ƶ College doesn’t stop there. For Día de los Muertos, Harvey House organized an event where they put up traditional <em>ofrendas</em> (altars) and invited the community to share in the tradition of the holiday with hot chocolate and <em>pan de muerto</em>, a type of sweet bread prepared for Day of the Dead.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>A Day of the Dead ofrenda (altar) in La Casa Hispánica. Photo credit: Madelenne Arredondo '26</figcaption> </figure> <p>Hispanic House also offers a variety of ways for students to engage with the Hispanic community. There are 30 students residing in the house, and according to Ariza, students are required to organize one event during the year. Her favorite house event is <em>almuerzo yuno</em> (brunch) organized by the resident assistant, program assistant, and the director of Harvey House, Yorki Encalada. All events are open to the public, except this brunch, which Ariza says is a great way to bond within the smaller community.</p> <p>Harvey House is a space for students who wish to integrate themselves into a community they want to learn about, or those looking to live in a familiar environment while speaking the language. As Ariza says, “it’s Spanish immersion in a creative way.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Harvey House offers a variety of opportunities for students to be integrated into a Spanish-speaking environment.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-11-22T12:00:00Z">Tue, 11/22/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Maja Saveva '26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2379">Student Life</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2404">Cultural Celebrations</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4796">�鶹��Ƶ</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/hispanic-studies" hreflang="und">�鶹��Ƶ</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">A concert performed on the patio of Harvey House for the annual Latino Heritage Festival in 2021.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jonathan Clark '25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Kiese Laymon ’98 Earns MacArthur Foundation Honor for 2022</h1> <p>eburnett — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:46:41 +0000</p> <span>Kiese Laymon ’98 Earns MacArthur Foundation Honor for 2022</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-10-31T11:46:41-04:00" title="Monday, October 31, 2022 - 11:46">Mon, 10/31/2022 - 11:46</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://www.macfound.org/fellows/class-of-2022/kiese-laymon">Kiese Laymon ’98</a>, a writer and educator whose works chronicle the Black experience through the lens of his Mississippi upbringing, was named a MacArthur Foundation Fellow for 2022, one of the nation’s most prestigious and lucrative honors.</p> <p>An English major at �鶹��Ƶ, Laymon is best known for authoring a pair of books initially published in 2013: the satirical novel <a href="https://www.kieselaymon.com/long-division-2021"><em>Long Division</em></a>, about Black teenagers growing up in post-Katrina Mississippi, and the collection of essays <a href="https://www.kieselaymon.com/how-to-slowly-kill-yourself-and-others-in-america"><em>How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America</em></a>. Laymon revised both books for later editions and was honored with a 2022 NAACP Image Award for fiction for<em> Long Division</em>. (Revision is a hallmark of the writer’s creative process, and a topic he discussed in a <a href="https://youtu.be/ZcCZwLr9DwA">video created with the MacArthur Foundation</a>.)</p> <p>In 2018, Laymon published the bestselling memoir <a href="https://www.kieselaymon.com/heavy"><em>Heavy</em></a>, a response to the abuse he suffered at the hands of his mother and an examination of the numerous struggles—with eating, addiction, depression—he faced earlier in his life. That book won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction and was named one of the 50 Best Memoirs of the Past 50 Years by <em>The New York Times</em>, among other accolades.</p> <p>Laymon is the Libby Shearn Moody Professor of English and Creative Writing at Rice University. He previously served on the faculties of Vassar College and the University of Mississippi. He founded the Catherine Coleman Literary Arts, Food and Justice Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding children’s access to literary arts in his native Mississippi. Based at Jackson State University, the initiative is named in honor of Laymon’s grandmother.</p> <p>One of 25 individuals honored by MacArthur this year, Laymon will receive a grant of $800,000 with no stipulations on its use. In an <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/10/14/1129223064/writer-kiese-laymon-receives-a-macarthur-fellowship">interview with NPR</a>, he has hinted that his grandmother’s foundation will be among the key recipients of his windfall. He also vowed to tend to himself and his health in ways he previously has set aside.</p> <p>Widely known as the “Genius Grant,” the MacArthur recognizes the creative contributions and potential of individuals of wildly varying backgrounds spanning a boundless array of disciplines.</p> <p>Laymon becomes the 13th graduate of �鶹��Ƶ to be honored with a MacArthur Fellowship. The most recent alum to win was musician Rhiannon Giddens ’00 in 2017.</p> <p><a href="https://www.kieselaymon.com/">Laymon’s website</a> includes a tab of thank-you’s to the people and places who have shaped his existence. Among them is this message to his undergraduate alma mater:</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;">Thank you, �鶹��Ƶ College, for accepting me, for introducing me to hummus, tofu and new ways of using narrative voice, for introducing me to a black arts community, for really giving me the belief that I could make a life out of reading, writing, teaching and learning, for forgiving me when I failed, for loving me even when I did everything I could to hide from you.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Author and educator elevates nuances of the Black experience—and his own experience—through acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-10-31T12:00:00Z">Mon, 10/31/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Erich Burnett</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/english" hreflang="und">English</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">MacArthur Foundation</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Raavi Asdar Receives Fulbright to Tajikistan</h1> <p>anagy — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 20:17:35 +0000</p> <span>Raavi Asdar Receives Fulbright to Tajikistan</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-08-16T16:17:35-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 16, 2022 - 16:17">Tue, 08/16/2022 - 16:17</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Recent graduate Raavi Asdar is part of a cohort that will spend 10 months in Tajikistan providing free English language instruction to Tajiki residents through the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) program.</p> <p>Unlike most Fulbright ETA programs which place teaching assistants in schools, Asdar’s cohort will be posted in an American Space, one of several cultural centers throughout the country funded by the United States government. Sponsored jointly by a U.S. embassy and a host country organization, an American Space serves as an information outpost similar to a public library. In Tajikistan, American Spaces function to provide free-of-cost English language instruction in after-school clubs.</p> <p>A <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history">history</a> major with minors in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/russian/curriculumussian%20and%20eastern%20European%20studies">Russian and Eastern European studies</a> and <a href="/middle-east-and-north-africa-studies">Middle East and North African studies</a>, Asdar explored courses focusing on South Asian, Middle East, and American History in an attempt to understand his own identity and family history. For his first Winter Term experience, he challenged himself to take the Russian language intensive, which led to two years of learning Russian.</p> <p>“Over time, these two academic trajectories coalesced into an interest in Central Asian history,” says Asdar, a resident of Austin, Texas, who graduated in September 2021. “In my last semester, I took a private reading with Visiting Assistant Professor Nicholas Bujalski on Central Asian history, and I left with an intense desire to learn more about the region.” </p> <p>Asdar will draw on his experiences in language acquisition, teaching, and learning abroad. A study away program in Edinburgh, Scotland, was cut short due to the pandemic in spring 2020, but Asdar says he had enough time to learn about establishing himself in a new context and cultivating community. For his last two years of high school, he received a scholarship to attend a boarding school in rural Norway, where he was joined by peers from more than 100 different countries. </p> <p>“I was one of four Americans on campus, and it was my first exposure to being a minority as an American. I also developed many meaningful friendships with peers from all over the world, including my friend Amina from Tajikistan,” Asdar says. “When I was deciding to apply to be an ETA, I reached out to Amina and she shared with me that she would go to the American Space in Dushanbe to practice her English growing up, which cemented my desire to go forward with my Fulbright application.”</p> <p>At �鶹��Ƶ, Asdar was involved in the Pottery Co-op and taught an Ex-Co on beginner pottery. “Through teaching an Ex-Co, I began learning how to adapt to different learning styles and student expectations. Some of my students wanted a lot of individual attention and affirmation, while other students desired a more hands-off approach and would seek me out for help. I hope to continue developing these sorts of classroom management skills while in Tajikistan.”</p> <p>While in Tajikistan, Asdar says he intends to work on his Russian skills while learning Tajiki. “I am really looking forward to getting to know the students I will be working with and developing relationships in a new, to me, cultural context. Tajikistan is known for its mountains and beautiful natural landscapes, which I am eager to explore.”</p> <p>Asdar was awarded a <a href="/news/critical-language-scholarship-recipient-boosts-his-sense-identity">Critical Language Scholarship</a> to study Urdu in 2021, as well as a Humanity in Action Fellowship to Amsterdam in 2020.</p> <p>At �鶹��Ƶ, Asdar was a member of the �鶹��Ƶ Student Cooperative Association, the South Asian Student Association, the Muslim Student Association, and the Pottery Co-op. He was also involved in <a href="/religious-and-spiritual-life/pastoral-care-and-counsel">Barefoot Dialogues</a> as a participant, facilitator, and student leadership team member, and dedicated his time working on mental health advocacy on campus. After graduation, Asdar worked at Denison University in the Center for Global Programs (a combined international student support and study abroad office), where he gained experience advising and mentoring students, organizing programming, and managing student workers.</p> <p>“I feel very grateful to be heading into a Fulbright after almost a year of working, which has allowed me to develop various professional skills and transition out of seeing myself as just a student,” Asdar says. “I hope to draw from all of these experiences and more as an ETA.</p> <p>Asdar notes that he was accepted as an alternate when he applied for the Fulbright ETA the previous year, and he encourages other students to reapply.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Asdar will provide English language instruction to Tajiki residents through the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship program.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-08-16T12:00:00Z">Tue, 08/16/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2377">Arts & Humanities</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25446">Middle East and North Africa Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25426">Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/nicholas-bujalski" hreflang="und">Nicholas Bujalski</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Raavi Asdar is a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Tajikistan.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Asdar</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Elizabeth Rigby Selected for Prestigious CBYX Fellowship in Germany</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 15:18:23 +0000</p> <span>Elizabeth Rigby Selected for Prestigious CBYX Fellowship in Germany</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-07-27T11:18:23-04:00" title="Wednesday, July 27, 2022 - 11:18">Wed, 07/27/2022 - 11:18</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Elizabeth Rigby, a spring graduate of �鶹��Ƶ College, is one of 75 Americans selected to live and study in Germany for a year as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program. The 2022-2023 cohort departs in July and returns in June 2023. </p> <p><a href="https://culturalvistas.org/programs/abroad/congress-bundestag-youth-exchange-young-professionals/">CBYX</a> is a joint program of the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag (Parliament). Cultural Vistas administers the CBYX Young Professionals program through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participants come from a wide variety of career fields and from all over the United States. </p> <p>Rigby, who majored in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry">chemistry</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/german">German</a>, will attend a two-month intensive language course, study at a German university, and complete a chemistry internship. Participants are usually placed with host families throughout Germany, where they act as citizen ambassadors of the United States.</p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Rigby most recently worked in the lab of Assistant Professor Rachel Saylor, left. Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</figcaption> </figure> <p>While German language ability is not required for the fellowship, Rigby studied German all four years at �鶹��Ƶ. </p> <p>“I met some of my best friends and housemates in these courses, and I particularly enjoyed working with Visiting Assistant Professor Peter Woods,” says Rigby, who is a resident of Clancy, Montana. </p> <p>From October 2022 to January 2023, Rigby will live in Mainz, Germany, and study at the Johannes Gutenberg University. For the proceeding internship, she hopes to work in Yafang Cheng’s lab at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz, where the research will focus on studying climate change, aerosols, and air quality. </p> <p>Rigby has collaborated on chemistry research with several �鶹��Ƶ faculty members, including Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry <a href="/manish-mehta">Manish Mehta</a>, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry <a href="/shuming-chen">Shuming Chen</a>, and Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry <a href="/rachel-saylor">Rachel Saylor</a>.</p> <p>After the fellowship year, Rigby intends to pursue a graduate program in chemistry. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-07-27T12:00:00Z">Wed, 07/27/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2367">Science & Math</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25371">German</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/german" hreflang="und">German Language and Literatures</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Elizabeth Rigby is a spring 2022 graduate in chemistry in German.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Fulbright Program Places Graduates Across the Globe in the 2022-23 Academic Year</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 19:05:24 +0000</p> <span>Fulbright Program Places Graduates Across the Globe in the 2022-23 Academic Year</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-06-15T15:05:24-04:00" title="Wednesday, June 15, 2022 - 15:05">Wed, 06/15/2022 - 15:05</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Beginning this summer and fall, �鶹��Ƶ graduates selected for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) program will embark on a journey in their respective host countries, where they will serve as cultural ambassadors while providing assistance to local English teachers for up to a year. Through engagement in the classrooom and the community, Fulbrighters interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.</p> <p>The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has recognized �鶹��Ƶ College for the 13th consecutive year as a <a href="/news/oberlin-named-top-fulbright-producer-2021-2022#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20State's,the%202021%2D2022%20academic%20year.">top producer of Fulbright students</a>. �鶹��Ƶ is fifth among baccalaureate institutions, sending nine scholars to study abroad during the 2021-2022 academic year. Since 1970, more than 250 �鶹��Ƶ College students have received Fulbright awards.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>The following �鶹��Ƶ graduates will go abroad as Fulbrighters in the 2022-2023 academic year. </strong></p> <p>Theater and Creative Writing Major <a href="/news/cassandra-gutterman-johns-awarded-fulbright-eta-czech-republic">Cassandra Gutterman-Johns '22</a> is excited to teach, travel, and reach outside her comfort zone with a Fulbright ETA in the Czech Republic beginning in August 2022. </p> <p><a href="/news/riley-davis-22-receives-fulbright-argentina">Riley Davis '22</a> graduated with a double major in Hispanic studies and Latin American studies with minors in anthropology and gender, feminist, and sexuality studies. Davis will apply her extensive experience in language and teaching as a Fulbright ETA in Argentina. </p> <p>Creative Writing and Cinema Studies major <a href="/news/peter-stern-22-receives-fulbright-greece">Peter Stern '22</a> will teach English literature to K-12 students while reconnecting with his interests in the ancient Greco-Roman world with a Fulbright in Athens, Greece.</p> <p><a href="/news/mikaela-de-lemos-21-receives-fulbright-spain">Mikaela De Lemos</a> graduated in May 2021 with a major in psychology and a minor in Hispanic studies. The Fulbright will take de Lemos to Spain's Canary Islands, where she will will continue her work as a service-oriented educator. </p> <p>History and politics major <a href="/news/abijah-ahern-22-receives-fulbright-serbia">Abijah Ahern '22</a> hopes to become more fluent in the languages of the western Balkans. A Fulbright ETA in Serbia is an extension of Ahern's interests in the history, politics, and culture of the Balkans region.</p> <p>For <a href="/news/elise-steenburgh-22-receives-fulbright-brazil">Elise Steenburgh '22</a>, a gap year in Brazil was a formative experience that shaped their learning and interests at �鶹��Ƶ. In February 2023, Steenburgh will return to the country that was a source of cultural and academic inspiration.</p> <p>A musical studies and law and society major, <a href="/news/sarah-wong-22-receives-fulbright-taiwan">Sarah Wong '22</a> applied for the Fulbright ETA to honor her Taiwanese heritage while becoming more fluent in her family’s ancestral languages. </p> <p><a href="/news/arman-luczkow-receives-fulbright-taiwan">Arman Luczkow '22</a> will combine his interests in teaching and East Asian culture with a desire to improve his knowledge of Mandarin as a Fulbright ETA in Taiwan. </p> <p>Art history and East Asian studies major <a href="/news/chloe-lai-receives-fulbright-taiwan">Chloe Lai '22</a> will reconnect with her family’s heritage and hone her skills in language pedagogy in Taiwan.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-06-15T12:00:00Z">Wed, 06/15/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2377">Arts & Humanities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2413">Social Sciences</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">�鶹��Ƶ's Memorial Arch on Tappan Square.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Chris Schmucki '22</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>