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Bianca Briciu is assistant professor at the Providence School of Transformative Leadership and Spirituality, Saint Paul University. With a profound fascination for unlocking human potential across various dimensions of intelligence—ranging from cognitive to emotional and spiritual—she stands as a dedicated educator and researcher. Her current focus lies at the intersection of emotional and spiritual intelligence, positive psychology, mindfulness and transformative leadership.
Bianca’s Longing for Adventure
A testament to her global perspective and respect for cultural diversity, Bianca has lived in and studied four different cultures. Bianca Briciu's journey began with a longing for adventure, which prompted her departure from Romania. Her initial move took her to Japan, where she embarked on an international student experience at the University of Kobe. This chapter spanned six transformative years, creating a sense of timelessness as she delved into a new culture and environment.
Bianca contemplated whether to establish her roots there, given the connections she had forged and her interest in the Japanese culture. Amidst these deliberations, the decision to immigrate to Canada gained traction, as a longing for stability in a democratic, multicultural society. Facilitating this shift was a friend she had made during her time in Japan, who happened to be associated with Carleton University. As she embarked on her new life in Canada, Bianca's awareness of settlement organizations was limited, leaving her to navigate this new landscape as a nuclear family. The challenge was intensified by her role as a new mother at the time, adding an additional layer of complexity to the adjustment. She enrolled at Carleton University, initially pursuing an MA Film Studies, and later a PhD in Cultural Mediations. When Bianca completed her PhD, she moved to Thailand for 3 years, where her journey of discovery and academic exploration continued.
Her Approach to Newcomers’ Health
Bianca Briciu's extensive experience has not only equipped her with a heightened capacity to navigate diverse settings but has also nurtured a systemic understanding of society's complexity. As an educator, she recognizes the significance of emotional well-being amid the challenges of immigration, cultural shock, and adapting to new environments. She acknowledges that many individuals who immigrate find themselves caught between states of incomplete presence and outright rejection of their own heritage. Bianca's insights delve into the intricate landscape of emotional and mental health struggles that frequently accompany migration. A fundamental yearning to belong emerges as a driving force, often complicated by the stark reality that immigration status and cultural differences can have a negative impact on one's sense of belonging.
Beyond the personal realm, Bianca's intellectual pursuits extend to the broader context of the refugee crisis and the themes of displacement and belonging. The diverse tapestry of countries, borders, and the tragedies that transpire within them and between them fuels her concern for the incongruity between the ongoing global suffering and our Western individualistic preoccupations. She mentions Europe's struggle to deal with the inflow of refugees, some of whom are received with humane treatment and some of whom endure unspeakable violence, as documented by the film Exodus-Our Journey to Europe. This underscores the complex dynamics at play, but also begs the question “How can we receive refugees while also creating programs that help them and form a system of inclusion”.
The Future of Immigrant Health in Canada
When asked about the future of immigrant health in Canada, Bianca replied, “The question at hand is fascinating, as it resonates to the issue of mental health in general. I envision a way of not only having access to medicalized health, but also building processes where newcomers can collectively heal through fostering more effective community support.” Bianca’s view is that refugees, in particular, carry the weight of trauma, persecution, violence, and the scars of war. Their successful integration into a new country, such as Canada, hinges significantly on the presence of effective processes to help them navigate these challenges. Immigration itself can be a traumatic experience, representing a rupture from familiar environments and a profound yearning to belong in a new setting. This necessitates raising awareness and fostering a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of mental health. Currently, there exists a shortage of settlement programs tailored to address traumas experienced by refugees. Broadening the scope to our current mental health crisis in general, the potential lies in developing avenues for providing diversified forms of assistance that don't solely mean directing individuals to therapists. Many cultures carry a stigma associated with individualized therapy and so it’s crucial to understand cultural differences and establish a framework in Canada that supports individuals both through therapeutic intervention and through the creation of community based processes of healing.
The Goals of Newcomer Navigation Programs
Bianca Briciu is one of the current leads of the N4 / SPU Internationally-Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) Program. She sees programs and processes developed to accompany immigrants as profoundly important, given the challenges they often face. As we delved into the program's structure, its core strengths emerged in the quality of accompaniment and the restoration of hope, particularly important for IEHPS, since their journey to finding suitable jobs in Canada can be challenging. “It is a beautiful collaboration with N4, we always wanted a program that supports IEHPS with cultural integration and networking.”
The success of the program has been evident through the heartfelt testimonials shared by participants. Bianca states that the program helps IEHPs understand the Canadian perspective and see that “Canada is not a cold place where nobody cares, there are people fighting for them, they have allies who want more policies that help them.” Bianca’s advice to newcomers facing difficulties; “look for support, contact settlement organizations, and reach out to people in your community. You’re not alone.” She believes that human contact is crucial in the first period of becoming a newcomer in Canada. She acknowledges that networking can be difficult when you’re in a new environment but accessing settlement agencies is a great opportunity to know that you’re not alone. She also suggests to have patience with the natural experience of intense emotions and feeling lost when you arrive. Leaving an interconnected system of families and friends is difficult, and it takes some time to find your way and feel at ease in a new culture.
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