Two student-made, short documentaries took centre stage during International Education Week on Nov. 19, offering perspectives on global learning. The featured films were “Far From Home” by Ayomide Kuye and “Friendship” by Andrew Neary and Dylan Irving.
Kuye’s film centred around the international student experience, and the disconnect that these students often feel from their families and life back home. Neary and Irving’s film was about their experience on a faculty-led classroom abroad trip to Guatemala, where they deepened their understanding of what it means to be a friend.
Danielle Harder, Durham College’s global learning facilitator, organized the screening to share two different perspectives on international education; one about how travelling abroad can enrich domestic students’ education, and the other on the experience of coming to Canada to study.
For Neary and Irving, their film was meant to be reflective of an experience that had a large impact on them.
They chose the topic of friendship because the warmth of the Guatemalan community they visited stood out to them from the first day. During their stay, they got to know the students better and formed friendships that last to this day.
“The second we got there, everybody was so close to us,” said Irving. “I think that was just … the most impactful thing on our trip there.”
“The people in the communities that we went to put so much effort into meeting us that we had to match that,” Neary added. “And I think it really did make it one of the most life-changing experiences ever.”
They said that it was important to them to maintain authenticity and to avoid imposing their perspectives over those of their friends in Guatemala. Neary mentioned that they focused on “not being extractive storytellers.”
Harder hoped this authenticity would resonate with audiences and open their minds to the idea that travel abroad is not all about personal gain.
“It’s about the give and take … what do you learn from others and then what are you able to share from yourself,” she said.
Kuye’s film examined the other side of international education. He said his film aims to show aspects of being an international student that aren’t typically seen.
“I feel like there are different stories in regards to immigration. You know, people just see immigration as how these people come to a new country,” he explained. “But they don’t really know what goes on in the whole process, like the whole emotional breakdown a lot of people go through when they leave their own country to a new place.”
He expressed his hope that the film will resonate with international students and help domestic students realize that each international student comes to the country with a unique culture, perspective and challenges.
Bryan Leong Fah is an international student who attended the screening. He said that Kuye’s film gave voice to his experiences.
“It was really emotional because I thought I was the only one feeling that way,” he said. “But from watching that video, it makes me feel that I’m not alone. And it will help me to share more about my feelings.”
A secondary purpose of the screening was to promote storytelling as a tool for change, and highlight student talent at the college.
“We have so many storytellers, and I think sometimes we need to listen more closely to the stories they’re telling,” Harder said.
She explained that students’ creative work gives insight into the things that are important to them, and should be used to guide teaching.
In this case, the featured films demonstrated the importance of storytelling as a way to break cultural barriers and inspire others to think outside of their comfort zone. They depict different extremes of international education and together they help to shed light on the benefits and unique challenges of global learning at the college.
“I think it’s worth it if you have the opportunity to leave wherever you are to a different part of the world,” Kuye said, despite the difficulties highlighted in his film. “You’re going to see that things are done differently, and that sort of changes your perspective on life in general.”