Celebrate EAL Week: Geographies of the Heart: Immigrant Stories of Resilience
About this event
November 10-16 is EAL (English as an additional language) Week, a time to celebrate English language learners and educators. And to kick it off, the Learning Centre and ELLA department are excited to invite Amea Wilbur, an associate professor in Adult Education from the University of the Fraser Valley, to Douglas College to share from a new book she co-edited: Geographies of the Heart. This book launched on September 27, 2024, and features contributions of eighteen writers from ten different countries, all of whom share their experiences of migration to Canada.
Many of the writers are now based throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, including Douglas College alumni, Nuria Sefchovich.
Amea describes these stories as "compelling", including farewells to family and friends, and the anxiety and uncertainty of starting over in a new country. Yet, despite the challenges, there are also stories filled with joy, humor, and humanity. She hopes the book will encourage readers to reflect on the lives of refugees and immigrants, acknowledging the resilience and richness of their stories.
Join us on Friday November 8th as we listen to four of the writers, including Nuria, read excerpts of their stories, as well as Amea's experiences about working with these writers throughout the pandemic. The reading will be followed by a Q&A.
Geographies of the Heart was published through UBC Press and all proceeds from the books will go to Archway Community Services. Click here for more information.
This event will be held on Friday, November 8th in the New Westminster Campus boardroom, S4920 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.