Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Media Production students recently received their first opportunity to study abroad through a new collaborative program. Traditionally, academic programs coordinate global learning experiences collectively through international cooperation teams, integrating cultural exchange, skill development, and global learning. However, this latest initiative took a different approach. Individual media production students joined overseas study tours organized by other programs and documented the experience through photos and videos. This mutually beneficial arrangement enhanced both the students’ learning and their overseas study experience.
In Fall 2024, Kevin Mahlberg, the head of the Media Production program, informed his second-year students about study abroad opportunities in Cuba, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Student selection was based on academic performance, program recommendations, and a brief written statement of interest.
Students participated in various overseas tours, gaining applied learning opportunities described as “study abroad within study abroad.” They were surprised by the breadth and richness of the knowledge gained during their travels.
In mid-February, Patrick Lavasco traveled to Cuba with students from Integrated Resource Management, Environmental Engineering Technology, and Resource and Environmental Law programs. Originally from Regina, Lavasco had previously traveled to the U.S. and the Philippines to visit family, but described this as his first true global journey. “I was uncertain about what to expect and initially overwhelmed,” he said. “Cuba is unlike anywhere else I’ve been; this wasn’t a typical vacation.”
Lavasco praised the international education team’s excellent planning, noting the group felt comfortable and safe while learning extensively about Cuba’s history, politics, and wildlife. Because the trip focused on environmental projects, the group spent time in national parks examining how Cubans conserve resources for future generations.
Before departure, media production students met with Mahlberg and project partners to discuss expectations. “We were asked to capture photos and videos not of the destinations, but of the study abroad experience itself,” Lavasco explained.
The trip gave him a chance to try his hand at videography and photography in a real-world setting. “My skills improved but I’m not a professional yet,” he said. “This was the first time I truly tested the programs I learned. I had to decide what to shoot and make creative choices.” The hands-on experience boosted his confidence and helped identify areas for improvement.
Another participant, Métis media production student Darby Foxwood, joined a one-week study tour in Wales and England alongside hairstyling and esthetics students. “This was my first trip abroad,” Foxwood shared. “I only applied because a friend encouraged me.”
Although initially reluctant to miss classes, Foxwood was surprised by how much the experience challenged his communication skills and ability to connect with subjects during filming. He was the only male in the group but quickly built rapport with the hairstyling students. He conducted video interviews with about half the class, sometimes needing to persuade peers to participate. “Capturing great moments required making friends so nobody felt awkward,” he said.
Foxwood described his role as active and engaging, constantly managing battery life, photo selection, and data usage. “This is what you do in media work—you have to keep everything running smoothly.”
He also connected with a media student from the host Welsh college, which he praised for its hospitality and helpfulness.
Kiela Caudillo Ruiz, the international partnership and project coordinator for the new media production overseas program, expressed excitement about the collaboration. “Documenting study abroad from the student perspective with professional photos and videos will help showcase how rewarding these experiences are,” Ruiz said. She looks forward to future cooperation with the program.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is committed to global engagement and offers many study abroad opportunities. Nearly 46% of its students participate in global programs, including 48% Indigenous and 48% low-income students. From 2022 to 2025, the institution received $1 million in funding from the Global Skills Opportunity Fund, sending 194 students and 39 faculty on study tours to eight cities across four countries through 12 different projects.
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