Intercultural Learning

This is intercultural learning, and you belong here.

The Intercultural Learning Department is dedicated to fostering equity, inclusion, and meaningful belonging at TRU. We do not shy away from talking about or acknowledging our differences, or all the complex issues that can make connection and thriving both challenging and empowering. We strive to acknowledge those differences, to engage with all their complexities, and to better understand our histories so that we can move forward together in a good way.

What We Do

Intercultural learning has a dual mandate to:

• Foster equitable belonging at TRU in the context of increasing internationalization,
• Nurture and support work that addresses our decolonization and reconciliation responsibilities in local and global contexts.

We work to address the complex social and equity issues that are associated with internationalization at TRU, which is occurring in the context of increasing polarization, heightened migration, social upheaval, and the global climate crisis. We also seek to nurture Indigenous and settler relationships founded on empathy, radical trust, and mutual commitments to decolonial futures. In keeping with our reconciliation responsibilities, this includes the provision of:

"...this includes the provision of "skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism"(Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, 2015, Call 24, 27, 28, 57, 92 iii)

Our small-but-mighty team works pan-institutionally with faculty, students, and staff, as well as community members and organizations. For information on how to get involved or find support, explore the initiatives and opportunities on this website or contact us at intercultural@tru.ca

Who We Are

• 

  Dr. Kyra Garson (she/her/hers)
  Intercultural Coordinator
  kgarson@tru.ca
  250-852-7184

  Bio

  Kyra is an educator and faculty developer who is passionate about intercultural learning, inclusive pedagogies, and combating discrimination in educational spaces. Her research interests include critical pedagogies, multicultural group work and critical internationalization studies. Kyra’s doctoral study entitled “Are we graduating Global Citizens?” received the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education’s dissertation of the year award in 2014. In 2011, the Canadian Bureau for International Education selected her to receive the Internationalization Award for her work with faculty to intercuturalize the curriculum. In 2017, she was awarded the Distinguished Leadership Award by the British Columbia Council for International Education. In 2020 she received TRU’s Excellence in Interculturalization Award.

• 

  JIANG Yujie* (she/her/hers)
  IUSC Research Assistant
  dianajyj719@hotmail.com

  Bio

  JIANG Yujie is a first-year Master of Education student at TRU. In her role as IUSC Research Assistant, she collaborates with the Intercultural Understanding Sub-Committee of Senate to research and report on intercultural understanding performance indicators at TRU. She has been especially involved in research relating to intercultural narratives, having successfully collaborated on a research ethics application and survey creation, she is further engaging in data generation, analysis, and dissemination of results.
  
  As an Intercultural Ambassador at TRU, Yujie enjoys intercultural learning about equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), Indigenous cultures, active witnessing, and intercultural communication. She also practices her intercultural awareness and development in many volunteer activities in the community. During this journey, she works to improve her cultural self-awareness by learning more about her own culture. Passionate about foreign language teaching, she wants to integrate intercultural education into language teaching to help foster intercultural development among her students.
  
  

• 

  Dr. Amie McLean (she/her/hers)
  Intercultural Coordinator
  ammclean@tru.ca
  250-828-5301

  Bio

  Amie is a sociologist, writer, educator and parent whose academic interests are on equity and social justice issues in Canadian post-secondary education and work. Her perspective is rooted in anti-racist, anti-colonial feminist thought, with an expanding focus on disability studies. She has published on post-secondary funding policies for Indigenous students, neoliberalisation and trucking industry regulation, and the racialized politics of mobility among long haul truckers. While supporting the intercultural department at TRU, Amie is on leave from her position as Project Manager for Justice, Equity, and Inclusion for Work-Integrated Learning at Simon Fraser University. She previously served as Co-Chair of the Learning at Intercultural Intersections: Towards Equity, Inclusion, and Reconciliation international conference and co-edited a resulting special issue in the Journal of Intercultural Studies. She sits on a wide range of committees focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion and engages in community advocacy work related to these topics.

• 

  Sourajita Panda (she/her/hers)
  Intercultural & EDI Co-op Research Assistant
  spanda@tru.ca

  Bio

  Sourajita is not only a first-year post-baccalaureate student in Human Resources Management, but also the Communications Coordinator of the Human Resources Management Club, an Intercultural Student Ambassador at TRU, and a Co-op student with the EDI fellows and Intercultural Learning department.
  
  Originally from India, Sourajita's upbringing has given her a unique perspective that enriches her ability to carry out various roles. She has always been an active volunteer with several non-governmental organizations in India, and these experiences have deepened her commitment to fostering an inclusive community at TRU. Sourajita strongly believes that interacting with students from diverse cultures not only strengthens the "TRU" community, but also leads to a deeper understanding and appreciation of one's own culture.
  
  In addition to her roles at TRU, Sourajita is passionate about creating an inclusive climate. Her dedication to this cause has led her to become a Co-op student with the EDI fellows and the Intercultural Learning department, where she attempts to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all students, staff and faculty.

* In many regions of the world, name order does not follow the Given Name, Family Name order that is common in Canada. In much of China, where Yujie is from, family name comes before given name. Since Canadian name order is enshrined in law and custom, many folks from international pathways face pressure or have no choice but to change their name order. We are striving for a TRU where all names and name orders are welcomed and spoken. Learn more.

For general inquiries, please email intercultural@tru.ca

Publications

References

1. bell hooks. (2003). Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope. New York: Routledge.
2. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. Winnipeg: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf