SASKATCHEWAN POLYTECHNIC
Media Production students hop on board study abroad trips to capture hands-on learning

Media Production students at Saskatchewan Polytechnic recently got their first chance to study abroad through a new collaboration. Typically, academic programs work with the International Partnerships and Projects team to coordinate global learning experiences for an entire cohort of students in a program. Together, they create travel experiences that blend cultural exchange, skills development and broader global learning.

This most recent initiative proposed a different structure. Individual Media Production students joined in another program's study abroad trip, capturing the experience through photos and videos. This win-win arrangement benefits student learning and promotes study abroad experiences.

Image credit: Saskatchewan Polytechnic
 

In Fall 2024, Media Production program head Kevin Mahlberg posted a message to his second-year students alerting them that applications were open for study abroad opportunities in Cuba, the United Kingdom and Japan. Students were chosen based on academic standing, endorsement by their program head and, most importantly, a short, written statement of interest.

The students participated in separate study abroad trips for applied learning experiences that could be described as a study abroad within a study abroad. They were amazed by what, and how much, they learned during their journeys.

Patrick Ravasco travelled to Cuba with Integrated Resource Management, Environmental Engineering Technology, and Resource and Environmental Law students in mid-February. The Regina-born student had previously travelled outside Canada to the United States and Philippines where he has extended family, but says it was his first real foray into global travel. "I wasn't sure what to expect and at first it was a little overwhelming," he says. "Cuba is different from anywhere else I've been and it wasn't a typical vacation trip.

"The International Education team did an amazing job of planning a great program," says Ravasco. "We were comfortable and safe, and we had lots of opportunities to learn about the country's history, political background, wildlife and more."

Because this study abroad was for students in environmental programs, the group spent time in a national park and focused on how Cubans are preserving what they have for the future. Ravasco got to participate in all activities along with the other students, but he was also on assignment, putting into practice skills he's been learning in his own program.

Before the Media Production students left Canada they met with Mahlberg and the Partnerships and Projects team to talk about expectations.

"They asked us to take photos and video footage of the trips," says Ravasco, "but not what you'd normally take on a holiday. Our work was to document the study abroad experience, not the country we were visiting.

"The experience really helped me experiment with the role of being a videographer and photographer," he says. "I'm growing my skills but I'm not a professional yet."

Ravasco says the trip was the first time he really put his program learning to the test. "I had to do it myself, deciding what shots to capture and making creative decisions," he says. Working on assignment in this way gave Ravasco confidence in his skills and assurance that he can do the work. "I also learned what I can do better, what equipment would make it easier, what shots could be better next time."

Darby Forwood, a Métis Media Production student, attended the Hairstylist and Esthetician Skincare students' week-long study abroad trip to Wales and England. "It was my first time travelling abroad," he says, "and I had to be encouraged to apply." Forwood wasn't sure he wanted to miss classes but says a friend told him he should take the chance to travel and try something new.

"There was so much that I didn't expect or realize that I'd gain from a study abroad experience," he says. "I knew I'd have an assignment but I had no idea that getting those shots and video footage would test my communication skills and my ability to make connections with my subjects."

Forwood says he was surprised to learn that he'd be the only male on the trip. He soon figured out how to work his way into the group of hairstylist students and build rapport.

Forwood managed to do video interviews with about half of the class. Some took a little convincing but he says that persuading them was good experience. "Getting good footage of the trip was important and that meant I had to make friends so people wouldn't feel awkward.

"It was interesting being an add-on to another program's study abroad because while they were learning I was also actively practicing my skills in a new way. I didn't have free time' in the same way they did because I was documenting the whole experience. I was always thinking about battery life, what shots I needed and doing the math.

"It's what you do in media you have to be on' when you're on the job."

Forwood also had learning opportunities of his own while there, connecting with a media student from the Welsh college where they spent the first part of their trip. "The college was great," he says. "They were welcoming and able to answer all my questions. I made lots of connections and will be sharing my photos with them."

Kiela Caudillo Ruiz, International Partnerships and Projects coordinator for the new study abroad opportunities with Media Production, is excited by the benefits the collaboration will bring to study abroad overall.

"Seeing study abroad from their perspective and having photo and video documentation with a professional flair will help us to show others what a great experience study abroad can be," says Caudillo Ruiz. "I'm pleased that our first few opportunities for Media Production students have gone well and look forward to working with the program on future trips."

Sask Polytech is committed to global engagement, which includes providing opportunities for students to participate in global study abroad opportunities, and it is proud to have 46 per cent Indigenous and 48 per cent low-income participation. Between 2022 and 2025, Sask Polytech received $1M in funding towards study abroad through the Global Skills Opportunities fund and has sent 194 students in 12 diverse programs to eight cities in four countries, along with 39 faculty chaperones. Learn more about study abroad with Sask Polytech.