Have you ever had an uncomfortable experience with cultures other than your own?
Elijah Mudryk, a PhD student in clinical psychology at the University of Mississippi whose research focuses on intercultural contact and the psychological nuances of religion, believes encountering the uncomfortable can help us become more resilient. By drawing from his experiences in intercultural psychology as a young Black academic, Mudryk challenges the idea that our most difficult times highlight our worst qualities. Instead, he encourages us to recognize the surprising traits we have displayed during challenging moments and offers insights on how to make these traits more central to who we are.
Mudryk’s previous findings on cultural integration have advised the federal leaders of a racial reconciliation program in British Columbia, Canada.