The Oberlin Shansi Memorial Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting understanding through educational-exchange programs between Oberlin College and Asian universities in China, India, Indonesia, and Japan.
Headquartered on the Oberlin campus, Shansi was founded in 1908 to provide support and guidance for the consolidation of educational efforts begun by Oberlin College graduates before 1900 in Taigu, Shanxi Province, China. Shansi is one of the oldest educational exchange institutions in the United States.
Shansi sends Oberlin graduates (called representatives or "reps" for short) to Asia to work and study. In most cases the Shansi reps teach English for two-year terms. It also provides opportunities for Oberlin faculty and staff members to visit Shansi sites in Asia to lecture and do research, and it sponsors Asian students and faculty members in Oberlin for one-year terms.
Locally, Shansi presents on-campus lectures, colloquia, and performances; sponsors an Asian Outreach program for local schools; and provides books and materials to Asian institutions.
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