Voices Across Borders: Stories of Identity, Home, and Belonging an exhibit by students in Office of Global Affairs
led by Diego Navarro Meza, M.A. (he/his/him)
Intensive English Program Instructor
Office of Global Affairs
Downtown Library FL 4, April 2025 - fall 2025
Welcome to our exhibition showcasing the powerful voices of international students
in the Intensive English Program (IEP). This semester, our students wrote
original vignettes inspired by The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
Using simple yet poetic language, they shared personal stories and reflections
on identity, home, family, and belonging, all while celebrating their unique
cultural backgrounds. These short pieces are filled with emotion, vivid imagery,
and heartfelt connections to their home countries, which are proudly mentioned
in each vignette. Guided by the principles of Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy,
our classroom has become a space where every student’s culture is honored
and respected. The result is a beautiful collection of voices that bridge
literature, language learning, and lived experience. We are so proud of their
creativity and courage, each story is a window into a world of dreams, memories,
and traditions. Come read, listen, and celebrate with us!
- Abdulaziz Alhajri
- Khalifah Almasketi
- Ahmed Almohanna
- Abdullah Alqahtani
- Mohammad Ashkanani
- Lujain Ayoub
- Cherryl de Lima
- Thao Huynh
- Valentina Mendoza Camacho
- Vy Ngo
- Lin Nguyen
- Thu Nguyen Thi Minh
- Uyen Nguyen
- Ikuro Shimamura
- Quyen Tran Thi
- Diego Navarro Meza