By Madeleine Gefke ‘20, Keystone Foundation Fellow

During my time in India, I have had the incredible blessing of loved ones making the long journey across the world to adventure with me. These plans have not only given me moments to look forward to throughout my fellowship, but also have provided me with really interesting time stamps to track my progress around living and working here. Now that my last visit from friends during my fellowship is over, my reflections have encouraged me to feel proud of the growth and learning I have experienced as a Shansi Fellow!

By Madeleine Gefke ‘20, Keystone Foundation Fellow

Hello from Kotagiri, India! I still can’t quite believe I am saying this, but after almost two years of a remote experience as the inaugural Shansi Fellow with Keystone Foundation, I have finally arrived in India. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity to make this dream of mine a reality, and I very much appreciate all of the support I have received from Oberlin Shansi in allowing me to extend my fellowship for a total of 10 months in-country. This generous amount of time allows me to establish a life for myself here in the Western Ghats and contribute more significantly to projects at Keystone.

By Madeleine Gefke ‘20, Keystone Foundation Fellow

What is my story? My narrative? I think the best words to describe my Shansi story so far are “an unexpected, long limbo period.” Yet even as I continue holding my breath and hoping I can make it to my site in Kotagiri, India, the world continues to revolve and life goes on. I am finding so many contradictions in my life, as exemplified in the wide range of conflicting thoughts, feelings, and emotions that popped into my head as I was brainstorming for this report.