Throughout the year, we have discussed literature from many regions, time periods, and cultures of the world. To me, an important takeaway from ASTU relates to our CAP stream, ‘Global Citizens’. At the conclusion of our first year in university, it is important to reflect on questions asked at the beginning of the year. One such question was “what does it really mean to be a global citizen?”. Some answered “living in different countries!”, and some answered “travelling to many places!”. Looking back, I feel that there is a much more rudimentary answer to such question.
To me, being a ‘global citizen’ is acknowledging and attempting to understand the perspectives, history, and culture of other regions than one’s own. In my opinion, no one will ever be a full ‘global citizen’, as no one can ever possibly know everything about every culture. But this makes it interesting, seeking answers, seeking places, and seeking the unknown. That’s what really drives us as scholars.
In this way, I feel that all the literature we read in ASTU has helped us on this path of becoming ‘global citizens’. To me, any work that I can sit and read while in Canada, and learn about somewhere else, is global literature. We discussed literature from different geographic locations other than my own, such as “Safe Area Gorazde”. We discussed literature from different time periods, such as “Obasan”. We also discussed literature from different cultures, such as “Persepolis”. Reading/watching, and attempting to understand such works contributes to our constant exposure to global literature, and thus, our experience as ‘global citizens’. While such literature tells different stories, from the Iraq War, to a family living in Toronto, they all tell the same basic narrative. That narrative is one of the human experience. One of laughter, sadness, and precariousness. One of sorrow, of family, and of love. One of expression around the world, with the attempt to allow others to understand, no matter how hard and difficult it may be. To me, that’s what it means to be a global citizen. To appreciate this literature, spanning time periods, and location, in order to understand others. And maybe if more people made that attempt, the world would be a better place. The best we can do for now is try… try to understand the message another wants to put out.
“What does it mean to be a global citizen?”, while the question appears simple, the very fact that many see it differently, proves the statement. Your experiences, and understanding of the world shapes how you view the question. Looking back, to me, the answer is much simpler than I initially thought in September. What really makes you a global citizen has nothing to do with your country of birth, and has nothing to do with your limitations, or ability to travel. To me, it has everything to do with your ability to attempt to understand the views and perspectives of others. To be a global citizen is to attempt to bring the other closer.
