Culture, Place, and Self

"Culture, Place, and Self" invites participants to consider how moving to a new country or living within a new culture can shape a person's mental wellness. After an opening discussion about the impacts of immigration, participants will watch _Frozen Out_, a short film by Chinese-born, LGBTQ+ filmmaker Hao Zhou that offers an intimate look at what it means to leave home and navigate life between two worlds. Through guided discussion, participants will reflect on the complexity of the protagonist's decision to emigrate, the ways it reshaped their relationships, and what is gained and lost when place and identity are in tension. A private free write invites participants to imagine what "home" could mean to them, and the class concludes with a final reflection on ideas and insights to carry forward.

Notes:
- This class includes an optional Postcard to Filmmaker activity. If incorporating this activity, please allow approximately 5 additional minutes of class time.
- The free write in this class is private and should not be required to be shared with the instructor or other participants.
- This film contains a brief reference to homophobia.