WorldCanvass begins its tenth season of internationally focused discussions on October 9 with “The Politics and Impact of Immigration.” Arguments over reasonable and desirable immigration legislation and the control of U.S. borders have long vexed the political class, policy makers, and the American public, but they’ve become extraordinarily polarizing under the heightened rhetoric of recent years. WorldCanvass will explore, from diverse and often divergent points of view, the complexities that make the immigration discussion so nuanced and difficult. We’ll also hear stories of recent immigrants who’ve chosen to bring their skills, talents, and energies to their new home, Iowa. Joan Kjaer hosts the program, which takes place in downtown Iowa City at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street, from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, and is free and open to the public. We invite you to come at 5 and join us for a pre-show catered reception.

One of the most interesting, and eye-opening, parts of the study abroad experience is being able to view the United States from the lens of a different country. Just two short months before I left for Australia, the Sydney hostage crisis bombarded all of the news. Shortly after, I received a frightening email from the United States government, advising all U.S. citizens traveling there to take extra precautions. This was the very first moment I was able to wrap my head around the fact that I was about to be living in a different country, one very far from my security blanket I had here.