Visiting Scholars

About the Visiting Scholars Program

The Visiting Scholars Program provides opportunities for faculty and staff from Shansi’s partner institutions to spend up to a semester at Oberlin College to enhance their professional and scholarly development.

As a flagship program since 1927, Oberlin Shansi’s Visiting Scholar exchanges have shaped research and curricular innovations with lasting impact in individual careers and our partner institutions. On their return to Asia, Visiting Scholars share their experiences of Oberlin, mentor younger faculty who seek international opportunities, and collaborate with Shansi Fellows based in their home institutions.

• Visiting Scholars should be prepared for rigorous and multifaceted engagement with Oberlin College. Previous participants have audited courses to observe undergraduate teaching, learn new research methodologies, and further develop their academic writing; studied the College’s entrepreneurship programs and library systems; engaged in extracurricular activities, including clubs and musical ensembles; and utilized college resources and faculty mentorship to develop research projects and proposals. 

• Shansi encourages Visiting Scholars to pursue personal and professional exchange opportunities with community organizations in Oberlin and Lorain County. This could include giving guest lectures at local primary and secondary schools and visits with local professional associations and retirement communities.

• Visiting Scholars’ terms typically last a full academic semester. Participants for the fall semester usually arrive in late August and depart in mid-December. Participants for the spring semester usually arrive in late January and depart in mid-May. In select cases, Shansi will accept candidates who propose shorter term engagements (from 4 to 12 weeks). Please see the application form and FAQ section for more information on applying for short term opportunities.

• Oberlin Shansi, in conjunction with our partners, will provide roundtrip airfare, housing at Shansi House, a living stipend, health insurance, and local logistical support to help adjust to life in Oberlin. Shansi often provides limited funding for Visiting Scholars to attend an academic or professional conference in the United States and additional funds for domestic travel. (This benefit is only available to program participants who stay an entire semester.)

Oberlin Shansi is now accepting Visiting Scholar applications for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025. More information on eligibility and how to Apply can be found in the “Apply” page. Please review the “Eligibility” section to confirm if you can apply during this cycle.

Applications, including recommendation letters, are due on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT (UTC/GMT -4).