Exploring food, belonging, and community through narrative with international students

Brooke Pratt and Suzanne Rintoul, Conestoga Social Innovation Lab

This mixed-methods research project explored the connections between food, storytelling, and community-building among international students at Conestoga. In partnership with the Kuwait Aid Network, the team conducted a student survey, hosted community consultations, and gathered qualitative data through four writing pop-up events that invited students to share stories and reflections related to food, identity, and belonging. 

The research revealed that food plays a central role in many students’ sense of community, and that narrative arts, such as writing about food and sharing recipes, can help students express identity, reduce isolation, and strengthen their connections to campus and community. These findings informed a forthcoming report and infographic, developed with the community partner, to share student-driven recommendations for food-based community initiatives. The team also presented their work at the Canadian Association for the Study of Discourse and Writing conference in May 2025. 

Next steps include a scholarly article submission to the Journal of Innovation in Polytechnic Education, focused on the use of community-based narrative arts as a research method. 

This project is part of the Conestoga Community-Engaged Writing Initiative.