Photovoice Research by Berkeley Woodbury

berkwoodbury — 2023-10-18 23:47:37 UTC

This project is meant to showcase different examples of belonging (or lack of belonging) at American using photos taken by AU students. To participate in the project, you need to take three photos and upload them to this Padlet. Each photo should fit into a different category:

Something that helps you to personally belong at AU
Something that is a barrier to belonging at AU, for you or for others
Something that embodies the AU community that students belong to as a whole

Pictures can be of anything as long as they are appropriate and on AU’s campus (or with an AU activity that takes place off-campus). Some examples of photo subjects are friends, places on campus, classes, extracurriculars, etc. Any device can be used to take the photos as long as they are uploaded to Padlet. We recommend that you take photos both by yourself and with others who are participating in the project (tell your friends to upload pictures!).

When you upload the photos to Padlet, please write a short caption describing what the photo is of and how it relates to the overall subject of belonging at AU. Please also comment on at least one other post about how each other’s photos connect to belonging. Thank you!!

berkwoodbury — 2023-10-25 22:43:36 UTC

We will be sharing our results to a class and other members who participate in this project will have access to your photos. If you want your post to be anonymous don't attach a named account to the Padlet or post an identifier in your images.

berkwoodbury — 2023-10-25 22:48:13 UTC

In on of my first weeks here I got to go to the New York Climate March with people from AU and it was a great way to form new connections and meet people who care about an issue I also feel passionate about. I feel like finding people through shared passions is common at AU.

2023-10-25 22:53:07 UTC

berkwoodbury — 2023-10-25 22:55:36 UTC

Classes and studying can get in the way of socializing and it can be hard to motivate myself to prioritize friendships.

2023-10-25 22:56:53 UTC

berkwoodbury — 2023-10-25 22:57:38 UTC

Both the American flag and the pride flag represent community at AU because it’s an accepting place but also motivated and very politics focused

2023-10-25 22:57:53 UTC

alisuncoldiron — 2023-10-25 23:11:42 UTC

I've met some people who live near me since coming to AU, so my friends from high school and I created a group that enjoys watching the same sports with people we've met here at school.

alisuncoldiron — 2023-10-25 23:14:17 UTC

Although I love the study spaces on campus, I tend to get caught up in my work and avoid socializing or doing fun activities until my work is done. It's good at times, but when work piles up, I don't end up spending time with people as much as I want to.

alisuncoldiron — 2023-10-25 23:16:13 UTC

The fact that we are so close to DC and that people come from many different states/countries for the proximity to the city adds to the diversity of AU, which is a rich aspect of the AU community as a whole.

taylorepstein — 2023-10-28 14:56:47 UTC

On the first night, my roommate and I went around to meet people and formed a really amazing group of people! We love to have movie/game nights often!

taylorepstein — 2023-10-29 19:29:20 UTC

Most days I'm either working in my room or in the library alone which can hinder my belonging here at AU. I try to find time to work with friends in the library when our schedules align.

taylorepstein — 2023-10-30 00:56:05 UTC

AU is all about incorporating old and new aspects. In this picture you can see the Communications Building (representing old) and the Hall of Science in the back (representing new). Incorporating the two helps student's remember past events and how that with impact our future actions.

2023-10-31 17:42:33 UTC

My friends came together to throw me a cute birthday dinner and made me chicken nuggets and mac n cheese. We ate desert, opened presents, and made fun of each other. I took this picture so I could remember how much I felt like I belonged in this moment.

2023-10-31 17:46:52 UTC

Food has always been a mood stabilizer for me and I haven't been eating or enjoying eating as much at AU. I miss my mom's home-cooked meals.

2023-10-31 17:50:20 UTC

AU always has something going on at campus whether it be related to academics, politics, sports, or just general fun.

2023-11-01 21:01:18 UTC

My peer mentor group for AU Honors helps me belong at AU because I have two people who have been here for more than a year and are very helpful with questions, and a few other freshmen that I like spending time with!

2023-11-01 21:09:11 UTC

I love the Rec Center, and it makes me sad when they cancel Group X classes that I'm planning on going to.

2023-11-01 21:10:12 UTC

I think that this is a great school for pride and there's a lot of gay people here, which is great, and I think the way that we understand pride here is very institutional in what defines AU.

2023-11-10 14:50:06 UTC

^{The club gymnastics team has really made me feel like I belong. The girls on the team are amazing and getting involved in something that I used to love has made me feel at home here. Additionally, being active is good for my mental health which therefore helps me as a person in general.}

My new roommate and neighbors

2023-11-14 23:22:57 UTC

My roommate really brings out the most in me and pushes me to do things I never really experience before. She also introduced me to our neighbors who always invite me out. We do on-campus events together and we explore DC together. I already had friends from my hometown but meeting new people at AU truly makes me feel apart of this community.

2023-11-14 23:25:25 UTC

It’s really lonely sometimes and I quite miss all of my friends from home. All of the work that I have prevents me from contacting my friends from home.

2023-11-14 23:28:13 UTC

Sometimes I just relish in how beautiful our sunsets are and how important it is to take in the good things. Maybe, American gives me this grand opportunity to experience something as pretty as this

2023-11-16 19:51:51 UTC

AU in Motion is the biggest dance club on campus and it has really helped me to feel like I belong at AU because I have been able to connect with a lot of amazing people who share my love for dance. It has been helpful in expanding my social circle as well and introducing me to upperclassmen.

2023-11-16 19:55:10 UTC

A big problem I have when it comes to connecting with my peers is not being able to make to group gatherings because of my participation on dance team. While dance team provides me with a different community that I love as well, it can sometimes be challenging to feel left out from my peers.

2023-11-16 19:56:59 UTC

Something that embodies AU for me is the stunning campus (and surrounding area) that we have. It just makes me happy to go outside and see people walking to class with all of the beautiful trees and building around us.

2023-11-16 20:02:44 UTC

The Bridge is something that embodies AU in my opinion because there are always people working with their friends or sometimes people showing off their musical talent, and the vibes are overall very calming and good.