Identity & Inclusion

Studying abroad is a very personal experience that can impact how you perceive and navigate different intersecting aspects of your own identity and sense of belonging in a new cultural context abroad.   
 
Identities are intersectional and place based. Identities that may be privileged in Canada may not experience the same privilege in your host country/region. Similarly, identities that may be marginalized in Canada may be valued by your host country/region. In addition to learning about yourself and your place in a diverse world, being aware of how a host country/region’s multifaceted society and context relate to your identity can help facilitate a smoother transition and allow you to engage with new people and places more authentically. Encounters with new cultures can foster fruitful dialogues, promote opportunities for new learnings, and create potential identity shifts. To ensure that you are prepared for these new experiences, we encourage you to learn about the communities and country/region among which you will live and study abroad.

The resources below are a starting point and have been created to help you navigate your identity within a new cultural context for a positive and inclusive study abroad experience. By understanding these resources, you can make informed decisions and take proactive measures to tackle any situation that may arise.

This page will be updated with additional content as we work on building identity-based resources for study abroad (including Race, Ethnicity & Heritage - TBC). If you have any feedback, please do let us know at studyabroad@sfu.ca. 

What is Intersectionality?

“Identity isn’t simply a self-contained unit. It is a relationship between people and history, people in communities, people in institutions.” - Kimberlé Crenshaw