Identity Texts and Internationalizing the Curriculum

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: Collaborating to Advance Multicultural and International Education

Abstract

The growing number of international students studying at Canadian universities has exacerbated the need to address identity, cultural aspects of teaching, and transcultural competencies in these institutions. To explore these concepts, we conducted a qualitative study in a large university in western Canada with graduate students, postdoctoral students, and faculty members from multiethnic backgrounds. In a series of workshops with a number of activities, 23 participants discussed how to use identity texts as an intervention to foster transculturalism and reduce tension and dissonance in a cross-cultural educational setting. Results indicated that using identity texts increased self-awareness, built trust, enhanced belonging, and revealed common humanity, thus creating opportunities to develop a successful professional identity in a multiethnic milieu.

Authors

• Rahat Zaidi, University of Calgary

• Dania El Chaar, University of Calgary