Laurier International Cultural Conversations: Building a virtual multicultural student community during the COVID-19 pandemic

Laurier International, in cooperation with Laurie Jacklin's HR261: Multiculturalism course and Community and Workplace Partnerships has developed Laurier International Cultural Conversations (LICC), a program for undergraduate students that provides an opportunity for relationship-building and improved understanding across cultures, nationalities and languages.

With classes being delivered online and remotely in fall 2020, the LICC program was created to support course content and bridge the physical divide many students were experiencing. For the program, international student volunteers were matched with students in HR261 to participate in guided conversations and mutual learning about ​their lived experiences. The students' collected reflections explore how they built online communities and expanded their intercultural learning while studying virtually.

Student Reflection Essays

Crystal, Matthew, Mazhar and Sarah: "...people who were strangers only a few weeks ago became genuinely connected and interested in each other’s lives."

Eliza and Rossana: "This opportunity was unique from any other university course I have taken in the past..."

Emily, Georgia, Gnanusha, Nafisa, Oceane, and Yash: "Dear COVID-19, thank you for teaching us how to adapt..."

Ines, Richard, Pan, Joanne and Marija: "...the conversations opened a window into each group member's culture to express itself." 

Jay, Magarsa, and Xi: "We all became comfortable with one another despite our initial hesitations towards the new experience."

Michelle, Arushna, Tanya, Victoria and Yefei: "...we are all working toward similar goals in both education and in our personal lives."

Raelene, Ayaana, Jennifer and Niyoshi: "Came as strangers, left as friends."

Alya, Sara, Lathika and Erica: "...we hope to continue our relationship beyond the class."

Emily, Bhoomiben, Hanwen, Hebron and Reed: "...practice listening to understand, empathy and being open-minded."

Kimberly, Khushi and Teana: "we were able to connect with students from different cultural backgrounds and even living in different countries, while also navigating our new normal."

Madelyne and Wendy: "...allowed me to expand my knowledge and acknowledge the significance of keeping an open mind."

Nicole, Alexa, Syeda, Candace, and Yunhao: "...created space for stronger, more intimate discussions regarding multiculturalism and what that means for us."

Photo Essay

Laura, Tiwalade, Monique: "...we actually have a lot in common while still having our own independent identities."

Laurier International Cultural Conversations is a collaborative teaching initiative produced by Anne-marie Henry (Laurier International), Sara Darling (Laurier Brantford Community and Workplace Partnerships), and Laurie Jacklin (contract teaching faculty at Laurier's Brantford campus). Thank you to our international student volunteers for making this virtual learning journey possible.