A Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges to Promote Asian Studies
ASIANetwork Freeman Foundation
1998 Student-Faculty Fellows Program
for Collaborative Research in Asia
Excerpts from Faculty Mentors' Reflections
Marsha Smith, Augustana College:
I think we were remarkably successful in achieving our research goals and I look forward to seeing Jane's book when finished. I think this was a great learning experience for Jane in many ways. Not only was she able to get a sense of Sr. Ingeborg's life, but the experience of traveling in China is one that she will never forget. Although at times it was quite challenging for her, I am sure that as she looks back on this experience in the years to come, it will represent a treasured memory of directly encountering a culture and a way of life that was quite alien to her personal experiences. I am sure that China will impact her greatly in the writing and publishing of Sr. Ingeborg's life work.
Hong Jiang, The Colorado College:
We interviewed a total of six contemporary Chinese women writers. Most of the writers we interviewed seem still not very interested in Western feminist theories though one could easily find strong feminist voices in their talks and works. They preferred to figure out their own roles and values through their own experiences in a rapidly changing society rather than just to copy the Western ideas. We really enjoyed meeting with each of these various but equally strong-willed women writers.
Victoria Baker, Eckerd College:
Jan's learning and mine occurred on many different levels. Beyond the substantive findings, we learned about the pitfalls of using an interpreter not experienced in the social sciences. Jan learned the fundamentals of research design,….., while I learned that beginning students should be given a bit more recuperation time when working in new and trying circumstances. We shared many moving experiences that taught lessons of humility. Our multi-dimensional learning experiences had made a deep impression on both of us and it was certain that they would continue in the next phases of the ASIANetwork Freeman Foundation project.
Brian Hatcher, Illinois Wesleyan University:
Andy and I had a very successful and enjoyable trip to India, one that tested our wills as well as our knowledge. One of my goals for Andy during this trip, quite apart from his scholarly project, was to give him the confidence to feel he could tackle life in India on his own. I will always remember the evening I left Calcutta. Andy and I ate an early supper together. Then he got up, picked up his backpack and water bottle, and headed off to catch an overnight train to Puri. I saw him off and then struck out for Dum Dum Airport. As I imagined him negotiating Howrah Station and finding his berth on the train, I felt genuinely proud of Andy for what he had obviously learned, excited for what he was about to experience, and absolutely assured that he had gotten out of this ASIANetwork grant more than he could have ever imagined. I know he sees himself, his home, and the rest of the world with a very different set of eyes than he did six months ago.
Carol Anderson, Kalamazoo College:
The best thing about this trip from our point of view is that Stoll learned to love the country, the people, and the culture. She got to know it in such a way that distinguished her from other tourists - always a good thing - and by the time she left, was able to pick up on the nuances and the subtle aspects of life in Sri Lanka. The project needs to be written up but the work that we did was solid and, at times, provided unanticipated insights.
Elizabeth Benard, The University of Puget Sound:
This opportunity to do research together in India was an exceptional chance to share knowledge with each other. I certainly expected to teach Stacey about Tibetan culture, women's roles in it and how to do research effectively. However, Stacey also became my teacher by causing me to see things anew. She questioned things I just assumed or barely noticed. She related her encounters with Tibetan youth who have distinct ideas from the older generations with whom I had the most contact. This exchange of perceptions, perspectives, and foci created a dynamic dialogue of inquiry and, at times, sheer joy of discovery. Our roles were fluid. Sometimes we were teacher and student, mother and daughter, or simply friends sharing the highlights of the day. In many respects, I felt fortunate that Stacey asked me to be her mentor. We had a wonderful month of being partners in research.
Joel Smith, Skidmore College:
Walking through the village with the monks and laity most of the day and taking slides gave me a marvelous and rare opportunity to experience and record village life. I had engaged a translator - himself quite knowledgeable about Tibetan Buddhism at the folk level- so I was able to talk informally with a number of monks and laity.