Title

The Case for Helping Students Feel Awkward

 Abstract

College students often avoid awkwardness at all costs. But as we realize the importance of relationships to learning and to collegiate success, we might recognize that what I will call awkwardness skills (being in and navigating awkwardness) can be a powerful yet accessible tools in developing and sustaining pivotal relationships. We can support our students’ development by helping them reframe their relationship to awkwardness. Experience directing an informal intercultural conversation program helps show that awkwardness skills can lead to resiliency and growing community especially across perceived differences.