Immigration, Community, and Identity: A Conversation with Shubha Sunder

Explore themes of immigration and community as experienced in present day Boston in conversation with the past in this dynamic book talk! Hear from author Shubha Sunder on how themes of identity, race, and immigration emerge in her debut novel,&nbsp;Optional Practical Training. Our discussion with Shubha will also explore how input and expectations from others shape our sense of community, where we call home, and how “home” changes due to urban renewal, fading memories, changing communities, and our own migration to newly adopted homes. Join Shubha as she shares her perspective on writing her debut novel and how to capture stories about the communities we call home, even as they change. Shubha Sunder is a 2025 Whiting Award winner and the author of&nbsp;Optional Practical Training, an immigrant novel in conversations. She won the New American Voices Award and was a finalist for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. Her first book,&nbsp;Boomtown Girl, a short story collection set in her hometown of Bangalore, India, won the 2021 St. Lawrence Book Award. She currently teaches in the creative writing MFA program at UMass Boston. Books will be available at this event. An informal book club may be arranged. If interested please email jaydie@thewestendmuseum.org. This project is made possible in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ilctr.org/for-teachers/teaching-us-immigration-series/immigrant-women-industrial-revolution-lesson-plans-resource-bundle/">The Immigrant Learning Center</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://iir.gmu.edu/">Institute for Immigration Research</a>&nbsp;at George Mason University. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The West End Museum

Jaydie Halperin

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

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S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

Where

Immigration, Community, and Identity: A Conversation with Shubha Sunder

Website

Where?