Bridging Understanding : McMaster students from areas of global crisis share their personal stories
In their own words, McMaster students who have experienced crisis, war or conflict share their experiences.
If you or someone you know at McMaster is in need of help, please visit or share the university’s resource page.
We’re living in a time of global unrest. Ongoing crises, wars and conflicts continue to leave their mark on the world, and the impacts transcend borders, including our campus.
As a global institution, McMaster University has a rich and diverse community of students, faculty members and staff with myriad perspectives, many of them deeply held and felt.
In the Bridging Understanding story series, you’ll hear directly from McMaster students in their own words. We are sharing complete transcripts of the students’ lived experiences with our audiences, just as they shared them with interviewers.
In creating this series, which was prompted by the end of the 2024 encampment, interviewers spoke with students with strong connections to Palestine, Israel, Afghanistan, Congo and Ukraine, all of whom graciously shared their stories.
This series is being published using a pseudonym for each participant to protect their identity for well-being and privacy.
Many shared details of how trauma abroad has impacted their lives and their time at McMaster. Some shared what they’re doing to find peace and healing, while others spoke about the supports, they found — or are still seeking.
The stories shared by our students remind us that the university’s role is to foster a spirit of inquiry, to provide a platform for the broadest possible expression of ideas and opinions, and to safeguard open discussion — even when those ideas are challenging or difficult to hear.
True freedom of expression requires both the willingness to speak and the openness to listen. We cannot champion free expression while refusing to engage with perspectives that differ from our own.
This series is a continuation of McMaster’s commitment to creating space for diverse viewpoints. A series of events called McMaster Dialogues has brought people together on key issues throughout the year, including a focus on working towards peace in a conflicted world.
We wish to thank everyone who shared their story with us.
Content warning: The topics covered by the interview subjects include grief, loss, trauma, sexual assault, aggression and gender-based and sexual violence. The content of the interviews may be triggering for some. All interview subjects reviewed and approved the material prior to publishing. The views expressed are strictly those of individual participants and are not endorsed by McMaster University. For support, please see the university’s resource page.
HALA’S STORY
A Palestinian student shares their story
LEAH’S STORY
An Israeli student shares their story
N’S STORY
A Ukrainian student shares their story
AMAL’S STORY
A Palestinian student shares their story
MUNZIHIRWA’S STORY
A Congolese student shares their story
SHIRA’S STORY
A Jewish student shares their story
MINA’S STORY
An Afghan student shares their story
