Paris Mercurio OC ‘23
Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia (2023-25)
Paris Mercurio (she/her) ‘23 majored in Creative Writing and minored in Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies. At Oberlin, Paris was: a Teaching Assistant of poetry and fiction classes; a contributor to Wilder Voice; and a participant in the WITS program, where she developed and taught poetry lessons to 7th grade students at Langston Middle School. Along with her vibrant love of teaching, Paris fostered her passion for the performing arts through her role as a Stage Manager and a Student Manager position at Central Ticket Service. Off campus, Paris has enjoyed interning with a literary agency and a children’s book author, volunteering at her local library, teaching language arts workshops at a summer enrichment camp, and providing college application guidance to high school seniors. Paris is an avid reader, and her view of storytelling as an agent of personal and social change inspires her to connect with new people and encourage creative expression. She is excited to deepen and expand upon this work while continuing a legacy of cross-cultural dialogue as a Shansi Fellow.
Community, Growth, and the Art of Moving Forward After Shansi
By Paris Mercurio ‘23, UGM Fellow
There is no exact science to moving on after a Shansi Fellowship. We do not have a guidebook on how to process the impact of two years abroad or how to translate that impact to loved ones back home. Returning isn’t a moment. It is a process, often filled with doubt, nostalgia, rediscovery, and growth.

