Student exchange explores Diaspora studies in Canada

Six students from The University of Northampton will be starting 2011 in Canada.

The students are taking part in a four month student exchange with Fraser Valley University, British Columbia and York University, Toronto.

The University of Northampton was awarded funding in 2010 from the Canadian Government and the European Union, for a Canadian/EU Diaspora Consortium project. Examining migration and people dispersed from a particular homeland, the three year project will involve exchanges of students and staff from Northampton and Münster University going to the Canadian universities of York and Fraser Valley. Northampton will also welcome three Canadian students in January 2011.

The funding for this project provides an opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and skills in diasporic studies, and experience what diasporic communities mean in different societies. We hope over time to expand our consortium to facilitate further staff and student mobility and build our research capacity in this area.

Professors Andrew Pilkington and Janet Wilson

The first Northampton students to go on the exchange to Canada are from a mix of courses across Northampton Business School and the School of The Arts. Their exchange will involve classroom learning about Diaspora, volunteering and a placement that is relevant to their study area. They will be leaving on 3 January and returning at the end of April 2011.

Thank you to the University for their support. This is a great opportunity for us to learn in a new environment and a new country.

Layla Mohammed, BA Advertising/American Studies