Pushing global boundaries in Immersive Travel Intensive course
31 students from diverse programs at The Creative School have traveled to Germany for two weeks this spring to participate in the Hochschule der Medien (HdM)/Stuttgart Media University’s Innovation and Communication Summer Course.
Third-year GCM student Maryam Kakal shared her motivation behind applying to the course. “I believed it would be an opportunity for me to explore the Graphic Communication Management industry beyond Canada and gain a better understanding of German culture,” she says. “Stuttgart was especially attractive because of its rich print history, leading studios, and museum exhibits.”
The course offered by educational partner Stuttgart Media University, the immersive in-person travel intensive represents The Creative School’s vision for global learning, which is hands-on, unique, and boundary-pushing. This gives students the opportunity to learn new approaches to global collaboration, discover unique and creative ecosystems, and explore the creative industries outside of North America, all as part of a course credit requirement.
Image courtesy of Maryam Kakal
Global opportunities have always been part of The Creative School’s experiential learning approach. Students have expressed great interest in these initiatives, particularly in a post-pandemic setting, after years of online classes.
Through the HdM Communication and Innovation course, students were able to join lectures with their international peers, learn about German and European approaches in both innovation management and corporate communication, and gain intercultural competences in a dynamic, ever-changing field. "It was fun being able to work with TMU students from different programs under the guidance of a German lecturer and see how their teaching styles and methods vary from the Canadian standards," shares Lindsay Patterson, a fourth-year, Fashion Communication student.
Over two weeks, the students also had the opportunity to participate in social initiatives and explore neighboring cities like Tübingen and Ludwigsburg. “We were lucky to interact with local students via the course modules as well as the social activities,” says Kakal. “We were also able to connect with other international students from Belgium as they were given accommodation at the same hotel. Many of our social activities were also paired together.”
Image courtesy of Maryam Kakal
The Creative School has organized multiple travel intensives with strategic academic partners in past years in major cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, Hong Kong, New York, and Los Angeles, across all programs. Sadia Kamran, Manager of International Development at The Creative School, explains that with the launch of the HdM travel intensive hosted by our valued partner Stuttgart Media University in Germany, she hopes to continue to offer it to students of The Creative School.
“I would highly recommend this program to other students because of the wonderful professors, experiential learning, and support on behalf of peers. Not only is it an enriching educational experience but also an incredible opportunity to immerse oneself into a cultural hub,” says Kakal (GCM Students).
Cadance Tan (Creative Industries student) also mentions “ These international connections have helped me to propel my business forward and create long-lasting relationships with future entrepreneurs.”
Image courtesy of Cadance Tan
Students from all across The Creative school programs have shared their experiences with us on social media here are a few:
The intention will be to have a continuity of this unique global summer program with Stuttgart Media University in summer 2023. Details and programming are to be announced in the new academic year. Stay connected via the link here (opens in new window) .
About The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Comprised of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.