Madurai, India
American College
A mandala announces an event on American College’s campus.
A lunch plate after a campus event, filled with typical South Indian food.
“Though it is a city, Madurai is more like a big village. I have been in this city of three million for nine months now and can confirm the truth of that statement. You never meet a stranger in Madurai.”
At American College, Shansi Fellows gain skills in program management, logistical planning, curriculum development, and community organizing. Through this unique professional opportunity, the American College Fellow manages an international center and works closely with an independent research center and local non-profit organizations.
About Madurai
Madurai, one of the oldest cities in the world, is located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. With a population of over one million, the city is the center of Tamil language and culture. The ancient Meenakshi Amman Temple is the center point from which the main streets radiate outward. Madurai is a whirlwind of bright colors with busy winding streets filled with bicycles, cars, pedestrians, countless markets, and food vendors.
About American College
As one of the oldest colleges in India and among the most prestigious institutions of higher education in Madurai, American College has shared a rich partnership with Oberlin Shansi since 1951. American College is located less than one mile from Lady Doak College, our other long-term partner in Madurai, and is near bustling Goripalayam, just north of the Vaigai River. The scenic campus is known for its abundant outdoor green space and historic red brick buildings.
There are 18 undergraduate and 15 postgraduate programs in the college. In addition to courses of study in the arts, humanities, social sciences and STEM, the college also offers programs in Business Administration, Computer Science, Law, and Social Work. Furthermore, the college has pioneered Dalit Studies, Folk Studies, and LGBTQ+ Studies in Tamil Nadu.
The American College has a new, 60 acre satellite campus in the Alagar Hills, just 15 kilometers from Madurai. This campus provides college, post graduate, and community college opportunities for Madurai residents and for students from surrounding rural communities.
The Fellowship
The Fellow at American College will work for approximately 20 hours per week on campus. Their responsibilities typically include:
managing the newly reestablished of the Shansi International Centre, which would provide writing support, organize a study abroad fairs and cultural/globally-focused programing, and host conversation tables, book clubs, movie nights, etc.
working with the Study Centre for Indian Literature in English and Translation (SCILET)
co-teaching English language skills or other courses to American College students
supporting postgraduate student teaching assignments in American College’s rural schools programs.
Fellows will also be encouraged to volunteer 5-10 hours per week at a local non-profit organization. There are diverse volunteer opportunities in Madurai in the fields of human rights, early childhood education, women’s career development, and more.
What does a strong candidate for the Fellowship to American College look like?
The ideal candidate will be passionate about community building and fostering dialogue, and enthusiastic about engaging with the close-knit and supportive community of students and teachers at American. It is important to be independent, curious, and enthusiastic about making meaningful connections with people who come from different cultural backgrounds, and to be motivated to listen well and act as a resource for the community. An interest in Indian culture is valuable, but there are numerous other possibilities for academic and experiential learning at this site. This unique Fellowship has had a deep impact on past Fellows. Several have pursued degrees in law, education policy, medicine, advocacy, the arts, and international relations.
Language Training
The Fellow will have intensive language training in Tamil at a language school during the summer before joining American College at the end of August. A stipend for ongoing language training throughout the Fellowship is available.
Housing
The Fellow at American College will be offered a fully furnished apartment on a quiet end of campus. The Fellow's apartment consists of two large interior rooms with a small kitchen and two full bathrooms with showers and western toilets. It is equipped with air-conditioning, cooking supplies, and standard Indian appliances. There is also a washing machine right outside of the apartment. In addition, there are substantial balcony spaces for relaxing and entertaining. It's roomy, quiet, and, with its on-campus location, will allow the fellow to easily access the resources on campus and to be accessible to faculty and students.
Calendar
The American College Fellow starts working in late August-early September, the halfway mark of the first semester. This arrangement allows the Fellow to take six to eight weeks of language instruction before starting their duties at American College.