Symposium video archives

This presentation shares preliminary observations about a workshop titled, “Talking Across Difference: A Critical Arts-based Intersectional Healing Justice Workshop for International Students” conducted at CSU in April 2023. Workshop facilitators created a “cultural commons” where U.S. and international students could exchange ideas and experiences of cultural, gender, and racial bias. Asian international students were specifically selected because they make up nearly three quarters of all students studying in the U.S. from other countries. Project facilitators were motivated by the idea that learning to talk across differences helps build awareness and advocacy around cultural, gender and racial experiences in the U.S. during increasingly contentious times.

This presentation shares observations about creating a space where workshop participants can authentically talk about social differences. Facilitators introduce the workshop design and framework used to structure workshop activities, and demonstrate how art-based explorations, critical dialogue, and mindfulness practices encouraged self-awareness and self-knowledge regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion among international students.