Warm Memories and Reflecting on Legacies: A Message from a Shansi Visiting Scholar

My name is Hasyim Kurniawan and I am an Assistant Professor of English at Gadjah Mada University. I am writing to you as one of the newest members of the Shansi alumni community after an amazing semester at Oberlin College as a Visiting Scholar.

My arrival to Ohio this past January feels like a lifetime ago. Oberlin had just experienced a massive snowstorm, leaving the campus covered in a blanket of white. Despite the beauty that surrounded me, I felt a level of cold that was beyond anything I could have imagined. I remember joking that, without a winter coat, I’d die. At that time, I missed my family, my home, my food, and (of course) the climate back in Indonesia.

Luckily, I found warmth in the people I met at Oberlin. The Shansi team, Oberlin College  professors and students, and local community members made it possible to see how Ohio could become home. Though Donnie, the Shansi Returned Fellow, was younger than me, he served as the big brother to the Visiting Scholars. He helped us set up bank accounts, buy food and supplies from Aldi and Walmart, and find the best cheesecake in the area. Alonso, a librarian at the college, connected me with Muslim communities in Northern Ohio. Friends of Shansi who lived in Indonesia years ago welcomed me into the Kendal retirement community, allowing me to see how elder care can incorporate art, activity, and education. 

Beyond these individual kindnesses, the frequent gatherings at Shansi House and around Oberlin College became a cornerstone of my residency. These casual yet vibrant interactions allowed me to naturally connect with a diverse group of professors, fellow scholars, and local residents. As a young professor, the opportunity to exchange ideas outside of formal lecture halls was invaluable. It helped me build a lasting professional network, opening doors for collaborative scholarship and deep insights into global academia that will undoubtedly shape my career for years to come.

Oberlin also expanded how I view my role as a language educator. Through Professor Kim Faber’s course in Language Pedagogy, I now better understand how to accommodate different learning styles and encourage communication in the classroom without fear of mistakes. I also saw how Kim inspired passion in her students and encouraged them to gain practical experiences to help those passions evolve into careers. Under Kim’s guidance, I designed and conducted a multi-day Indonesian-language workshop for members of the local community. The skills and techniques that I honed through this process will become central to future classes I teach at Gadjah Mada.

I am grateful for the support of the Shansi Community for making this opportunity possible for me. And on behalf of myself and future generations of Shansi Visiting Scholars, I humbly request that you consider supporting Shansi and its mission by visiting www.shansi.org/donate or sending a check to Oberlin Shansi, 50 North Professor Street, Oberlin, OH 44074. You can also reach out to Shansi staff to learn about other ways to give.

I end this letter with a commitment to pay forward the warmth and generosity I experienced via Shansi. Just before I departed Indonesia in January, I had a conversation with one of my mentors, Pak Eddy Pursubaryanto, who traveled to Oberlin twice as a Visiting Scholar. Pak Eddy was a teacher, guide, and friend to generations of Shansi Fellows. He served as a role model for meaningful intercultural friendship. As he wished me well, he told me that I would have to carry the torch for Shansi in Jogja. He said I should welcome future Shansi Fellows into our classrooms and communities and care for them throughout their two years in Indonesia. At that time, I did not know that this conversation would be my last with Pak Eddy. He passed away during my last month in Oberlin. While I mourn his loss, I understand the importance of being a part of this community. I am honored to follow in Pak Eddy’s footsteps. 

Sincerely,

Hasyim Kurniawan
Shansi Visiting Scholar, Spring 2026

P.S. I cannot end my message without sharing about the fun that Shansi has brought into my life. Here is a video, featuring Shansi Fellows Paris and Mia, who sang karaoke with my colleagues and me last year while Shansi Director Ted was visiting. I hope you enjoy (or at least tolerate) our singing voices!