Congratulations to our In-Asia Grant Recipients!
Congratulations to our In-Asia Grant Recipients!
We are pleased to announce that Oberlin Shansi has awarded In-Asia Grants for six engaging Winter Term projects.
More information on the $1500 In-Asia Grant can be found here.
Kayla Kim '25
Kayla will travel to South Korea to further her research on short-track speed skating. There, she will observe the short-track events at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon. Afterward, she will travel to Seoul, where she will meet with experts to get a more holistic view on the impact of short-track speed skating in popular culture and how it came to be in Korea.
Arthur Hoffman '26
Arthur will be chatting, interviewing, and vibing with artists and audiences in Okinawa’s hip hop scene. This unique genre, a mix of Okinawan, American, and Japanese culture, language, and music, is embodied by the Okinawan word chanpurū, meaning mishmash or combination. He aims to gain a deeper understanding of the complex political and geopolitical issues of identity facing Okinawans, as seen through the multicultural and multiracial lens of hip hop.
Ayesha Ghosh '27
Ayesha will immerse herself in the study of the Indian classical dance form, Odissi. She will take Odissi classes in Kolkata, India under renowned dancer Nandini Ghosal. Along with research into the dance form, she will visit sacred dance sites around Kolkata and Orissa to deepen her understanding of the art form. Embarking on this project in Kolkata will allow her to practice Odissi in its geographical origin, explore its spiritual and cultural history, and inspire her own choreography.
Eleanor O’Brien '27
Eleanor will pursue an in-depth study of the Suzuki Pedagogy at the Matsumoto Talent Education Institute in Japan. Drawing on her experience as a beginner violin teacher in high school, Eleanor hopes to gain a better understanding of the intent behind the Suzuki method by working closely with Hiroko Toba, a teacher at the Institute. The connections she establishes during her time in Japan will have a lasting impact on her future career and the greater Oberlin community.
Holly Bogle '27, and Madeleine Hearn '27, and Sébastien Tsai '27
Holly, Madeleine, and Sébastien will join Eleanor O’Brien in participating in the Singapore Chamber Music Festival. Known as the Pandan Quartet, they will have the opportunity to create a strong link between the Singapore and Oberlin conservatories, all while learning about how different regions of the world approach chamber music. The Singapore Chamber Music Festival will provide them a platform to work closely with accomplished musicians and experienced chamber ensembles. The exposure to diverse musical interpretations and collaborative experiences will enhance their technical skills, musicianship, and ensemble playing.
Zubin Bhattacharya '27
Zubin will travel to Kolkata, India to explore technology use at the LYCEE School. Specifically, he will be analyzing how technology shaped curricula before, during, and after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He will do this by engaging with teachers, who navigated challenges and spearheaded innovative approaches to in-person and remote classroom management.