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New course explores how immigrants navigate Canada
by Riamarie Panachikal. This is an excerpt of an article that first appeared on the Renison University News site.
With up to 1,150 refugees expected to settle in the Waterloo region in the next two months, understanding the experiences of immigrants in Canada has become an important area of focus. In winter 2016, Renison University College will offer a new course that discusses narratives around immigration and refugee resettlement in Canada. ENGL 280, Literatures of Migration, will explore the diasporic experiences of various global communities as they navigate North America.
Blending together an analysis of literary and cultural study, Professor Vinh Nguyen has designed this course to critically examine the various social factors that shape the experiences of immigrants, refugees, and undocumented workers.
“I feel like one of the most important things in the classroom is for the instructor to show a sort of passion for the material. That in itself can be very contagious. If you show how you’re invested in the work, in the material, then students can pick up on that. They see it as a possibility for them to be invested as well,” said Nguyen.
Nguyen’s passion runs more deeply and personally than most. At the age of six, Nguyen, his three siblings, and his mother chose to flee Vietnam and seek safety in Thailand.
“We were boat people,” said Nguyen, reflecting upon his passage into Thailand. “A lot of these stories of these boats is that they are crammed with hundreds and hundreds of people. So maybe a boat meant to carry maybe 100 people will carry 150 or 200 people, or whatever amount it was. We were on one of those.”
Shortly after Nguyen’s arrival to Thailand, his father had boarded a boat, but didn’t make the journey.
“He was lost at sea. To this day, we don’t know what happened,” said Nguyen.
Nguyen and his family lived in Thailand for three years. During this time, they moved between three refugee camps, waiting for sponsorship. Eventually his grandparents were able sponsor their arrival into Canada.
“I’m at a point and time right now where I’m able to talk about this and I think its important to people, too,” said Nguyen.
Outside his role as professor, Nguyen advocates for the protection of refugees. He is the co-founder of the group Southeast Asian Canadians for Refugees, an advocacy group that focuses on increasing awareness about the current refugee crisis.
Read the rest of the article on the Renison website.
Staff association open house today
The University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) is holding an open house event today and is inviting its members to an exclusive on-campus sale of Chicopee lift tickets. Tickets are valid for use any day and time until March 20, 2016. Surely there will be some snow on the hills at some point during that time.
The open house takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in DC 3608. Apple cider, coffee and treats will also be available.
Attendees can fill out a ballot to win door prizes, including two free lift tickets.
UWSA members can buy lift ticket packages of 3 for $99 (includes HST), a 20 per cent savings for staff association members. Cash, cheque, and most credit cards are accepted.
Jazz Vespers service and other syncopated notes
If you're looking for some calm in the midst of the hectic Christmas rush, then why not swing by the Jazz Vespers Service on Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conrad Grebel Chapel. The event promises a service of reflections on the Christmas season through readings and music in a jazz mode. Performers include Paul Fehderau, Linden Gossen, Brad Moggach, Greg Stroh, and Tom Cummings.
The Federation of Students is giving the Bombshelter Pub a makeover in the near future, and they are selling off the furniture that's been in place since the last major revamp back in 2006 or thereabouts. So if you want to sit on or sit at a piece of Bomber history, now is your chance. Low tables and chairs and tall tables and chairs are up for grabs.
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How Hash got settled: The Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre is featuring the story of how an iPhone application developed at the Hack The North hackathon wound up winning a $5K award at the recent Velocity Fund Finals.
The Faculty of Engineering has, well, engineered a way to tour its newest building, Engineering 7, before it's even built. With this virtual tour, it's virtually like being there. Let me know when I can sign up for the virtual virtual tour, where it will feel like I'm virtually taking a virtual tour.
Waterloo International has taken to the web to debunk some of the myths about international exchange experiences that may be holding people back from participating. Check out Opportunities for Students for more information on how to embark on an exchange experience.