Elaine Wu OC ‘21

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Shanxi Agricultural University, China (2021-23)

Elaine Wu '21, is a double major in Sociology and East Asian Studies. As a sophomore, she started studying Mandarin in hopes of learning more about her family history, which led her to study at the National Taiwan Normal University the following summer. At Oberlin, Elaine has fostered her interests in community and educational work through various roles including Lead Resident Assistant of the ZEBRA cluster and Communication Liaison and Chair of the Asian American Alliance, working and organizing events and workshops catered towards different communities. In addition to these roles, she was a cook and Board Representative for the Third World Co-op, the President and instructor of the Badminton Club and ExCo, and co-hosted a WOBC radio show. Through Shansi, Elaine is excited to visit mainland China for the first time and aims to improve her skills as an educator and language learner, paying her cross-cultural experiences forward to others through educational work and service.

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Faith in the Future
Faith in the Future

By Elaine Wu ‘21, Taigu Fellow

It is still hard to believe I am writing this, but after two years of remote teaching at Shanxi Agricultural University, I have finally arrived! I chose to extend my fellowship by another year to, at long last, taste what life is like as an on-site fellow. I was also committed to assisting in this period of readjustment and reintroduction as Shansi Fellows returned to Taigu for the first time since January, 2020.

Making it Happen: A Shansi Time Capsule
Making it Happen: A Shansi Time Capsule

By Elaine Wu ‘21, Taigu Fellow

My first year of college, I started creating what came to be known as “time capsule” playlists. Back then it started off simply as a matter of convenience, for having a shared spotify account at the time meant that I didn’t have a place to keep track of all my liked songs. Thus, having one chaotic mass playlist where I could store them offered a quick fix.

In Which I Find Myself Stuck, Not Between a Rock and a Hard Place, but Somewhere Else Entirely
In Which I Find Myself Stuck, Not Between a Rock and a Hard Place, but Somewhere Else Entirely

By Elaine Wu ‘21, Taigu Fellow

There is this Facebook group called “Foreigners Stuck Outside of China”, consisting of all kinds of people, trying to get into China for all kinds of reasons. Many are family, trying to get reconnected with relatives, partners, their pregnant wife and kids. Many for business, study, or opportunities like mine, and all of us desperately awaiting news to change for the better. It is quite humbling to read these posts of families unable to reconnect for years, the children that are born within the time, or seasoned professionals whose steady career paths have suddenly had a wrench thrown in their midst. It's a good reminder that I am young and growing.