A reflection written by Yifan Zhang (Yifazhan.zhang@ugent.be), PhD student at Ghent University and frequent GETSEA Mini-Course participant.
The recently concluded AAS 2025 in Columbus, Ohio, was an intellectual banquet where I presented, engaged, fulfilled, networked, and acquired substantial knowledge. The GETSEA reception was a significant highlight of my conference attendance, as it provided an opportunity to reconnect with both old and new friends. In-person sessions and meetings consistently evoke enthusiasm, as virtual interactions transition into tangible experiences.
My experience with GETSEA began during the challenging times of 2021, when I found myself isolated in rural Southwest China. The difficulties I faced made it seem impossible to navigate through the adversity. I lacked the resources necessary for a standard and effective learning environment. Even my attempts to study Hindi, a language crucial for my long-term research on Jain diasporas in Southeast Asia, were thwarted as I could not engage in face-to-face learning. Instead, I was forced to pursue the entire Hindi course online, which ultimately diminished the quality of my language acquisition experience.
Amidst my daily anxieties regarding language acquisition, my doctoral ethnographic fieldwork, and the uncertainty of future connections with the world, the emergence of GETSEA instilled a sense of hope within me. During the GETSEA mini-course sessions, I was able to engage with a global community, benefiting from the richness of the lectures, diverse narratives in discussions, and the varied academic and cultural backgrounds of fellow participants. These elements significantly enhanced my comprehension of contemporary research frontiers in Southeast Asia. The comprehensive course outlines and diverse subjects presented by several speakers reignited my enthusiasm for studying Southeast Asia. During the GETSEA reception, Ava mentioned that I am the most long-standing student of GESEA, and I take great pride in that distinction.
The language assistance table provided by GETSEA really contributed to the maintenance of my Thai language understanding and vocabulary. As a non-native Thai speaker, my fluency diminished during the Covid period due to a lack of travel and contact with Thai speakers. However, the frequent Thai language assistance table aided in preserving and even enhancing my proficiency in the language.
My experience with GETSEA has been exceptional, and I have just registered in the current mini-course titled “Inter-Asian Intimacies.” I shall persist in my academic pursuits and association with GETSEA to the best of my ability. I strongly recommend GETSEA to you, my esteemed friends.