More and more universities are encouraging study abroad and global citizenship. But how should students and faculty foster global study and intercultural communication? Drawing upon fieldwork in Mexico and Tanzania, this talk reveals why language and communication are crucial to cross-border collaboration and intercultural learning. The talk will explore identity and globalization in language learning and study abroad through the metaphor of the undead, with attention to the experiences of people of color in North America, as well as the Global South. It will argue that we need to consider language, in addition to race, gender, sexuality, and ability, as a key dimension of an intersectional approach to matters of identity and power.

Bio: Jamie A. Thomas has been working with programs in language learning and international education for more than a decade. Her forthcoming book Zombies Speak Swahili explores identity and globalization in language learning and study abroad through the metaphor of the undead, with particular attention to the experiences of people of color. She is a Visiting Scholar at UC Santa Barbara.

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