Kelly, Renata and Alina

For some, HR 261 is a compulsory course; for others, this may be an elective, but it is an extraordinary experience and opportunity for all students in this course. The opportunity to participate in Laurier International Cultural Conversations in the fall of 2021, where COVID is still very prevalent in our lives, has provided participants with such unique circumstances.

Meeting new people can seem daunting. We were positioned in a group of students, local, national, and international students coming from diverse cultures, perspectives, religions, beliefs, and values felt overwhelming, to say the least.  Keeping your camera off and your microphone muted seems much more effortless. However, the possibility to have this experience placed strangers, some of whom had absolutely nothing in common, together. Together, we embraced all of it. One thing has become innately evident during our time participating in Laurier International Cultural Conversations; one must approach new situations, people, and perspectives with an open mind and willingness to encompass them.

During times of covid, our lives have shifted. No one has been left untouched by this virus in one way or another. Though that is not to say there has not been resistance on this journey, we have learned to embrace the changes in our lives. We have learned to navigate all aspects of our lives around this unmoving force; working from home, attending school from home, social distancing, wearing masks, we have made these alterations to our everyday lives to still live our lives to the fullest, to create new memories, experiences, and relationships.

Despite being assigned to a group for classwork, meeting on Zoom, all the initial awkwardness, and struggle to find commonalities, these groups have constructed genuine friendships and connections.  We find each other excited about the new semester, comparing classes to see what overlaps and waiting for the time to come when we get to meet our newfound friends face to face.  Most importantly, this class has created a platform unlike any other we have experienced before. Not only are we forging these new relationships, but we are building them while having conversations that, at times, society encourages us to steer away from while meeting new people.  Politely tiptoeing around political conversations creates a community unknowing and unwilling to learn, engage and embrace perspectives and positions different from our own.

Every member of our group has come from a different point in life. Some are new to post-secondary education, some on second careers, some haven’t entered their 20’s and others are already in their 30’s. Our group members also come from different parts of the world. While in conversations, we had unique learning about different countries, cultures, values, and beliefs, that have created an inconceivable impact on our lives. Laurier International Cultural Conversations gave us the chance to listen. Recognizing and acknowledging our differences is the very entity that has forged our connections and friendships.  There is one thing all members of this group and this class will carry forward with us in our lives, the willingness and motivation to embrace the differences.

Kelly Gray, HR 261, Human Rights and Human Diversity, Brantford

Renata Arrioja-Palacios, HR 261, Human Rights and Human Diversity, Brantford