By Mikael Frey ‘22, Taigu Fellow

At my encouragement, my parents came to visit me this winter. For months, I have been eagerly imagining their arrival. I hoped that, being here, they would see the thing that drew me here. The something I still cannot quite put into words. When I applied to Shansi, I only applied to this site.

By Mikael Frey ‘22, Taigu Fellow

Throughout my childhood and young adulthood, my parents have participated in a program at our local university. For a few months, they would host an international student in our home, helping them navigate the move to America. I was always fascinated as a child by these worldly people with interesting stories, accents, and futures. I remember an outgoing Dutch man who taught me simple words in his language and a quiet Japanese women who staying in touch with my mom for years after.