"Don’t be scared of the unknown": Students get hands-on experience in multimedia design

COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects aren’t a field trip or a semester abroad. They represent global education for the now: accessible, scalable, deeply human. 

In SPARK 14, faculty and learners from 8 COIL projects share their experiences and show how COIL is one of the most quietly transformative forms of education at Humber Polytechnic. 

As part of the Multimedia Design & Development program at Humber Polytechnic, students collaborated with Dania Games in Denmark to gain hands-on experience in multimedia design and contribute to real-world video game promotions. Humber students assisted Dania Games in creating a variety of promotional materials for video game prototypes, including box art, website design, logos/branding, trailers, and social media content.

COIL faculty leads Kristopher Ohlendorf, Interaction Design, Humber Polytechnic; and Jonatan Yde, Computer Science/Game Development, Dania Academy share their perspectives on the project.

What motivated you to engage in an international collaboration for this project? How does this align with Humber’s vision of Reimagining Learning?

Kristopher Ohlendorf: I was supported by Humber on a trip to Denmark to run workshops for International Week at Dania Academy. While there, I connected with Jonatan Yde, the Executive Director of Dania Games. On a car ride with Jonatan from the Dania Games campus back to the hotel where I was staying—in between conversations about The Lord of the Rings—we discussed how our accompanying programs could support each other. That’s where the idea for this international collaboration arose. This aligns with Humber’s vision of Reimagining Learning by creating an international collaboration between Humber and Dania Games’ students built on connections facilitated by digital technologies.

Can you share a breakthrough moment where students from different backgrounds worked together in a way that surprised you?

Kristopher: I’m always impressed by the initiative demonstrated by Humber students involved in these projects, and the openness from Dania Games students to collaborate. [Students] must work with their Dania Games collaborators to determine client needs, then reflect on their own skills with what they can best provide. Humber students end up finding a solution that leads to innovative and strong projects while continually developing their multimedia skills.

What were some of the most significant cultural or logistical challenges your students faced?

Kristopher: A key component of this project was dealing with timezone differences. This meant they needed to manage their time better to meet the project deadlines in the course.

The Building Brilliance (BB) vision emphasizes Deeper Partnerships. How has this project strengthened Humber’s ties with international institutions?

Kristopher: The ongoing continuation of this project every Fall semester encourages a continual connection and collaboration with my Dania Games colleague, Jonatan Yde. This allows us to share experiences and keep a line of contact open between the schools/ programs.

Did you notice any shifts in students’ confidence, adaptability, or leadership skills as they navigated this cross-border experience?

Kristopher: Yes, the students developed more initiative and stronger communication skills. Rather than blending into the background or coasting by, they made their presence known and stood out through strong communication and creative work. It’s also important to note that these projects are developed with the intention for students to include them in their portfolios to help secure a work placement and jobs in the future. By having such expansive cross-cultural projects in their portfolios, it shines a light on the important skills developed by these students as they build their careers.

If you had to make a case for why global collaborations should be a core part of higher education, what would it be?

Kristopher: Collaborative projects like this provide a positive opportunity for students to connect with people they may never otherwise meet. As certain parts of the world trend towards isolationism and xenophobia, having positive experiences between students in various countries allows them to develop open minds and compassion for one another rather than fear.

What was your initial impression of working with Humber faculty and students? How did they approach collaboration differently?

Jonatan Yde: The Humber students approached the project with great dedication and a structured mindset, likely because it was part of their examination. The collaboration was highly effective, and both groups quickly adapted to each other’s work styles.

The modern workforce is increasingly global. How do you think projects like this help students prepare for international careers?

Jonatan: Projects like this are valuable in preparing students for international careers because they mirror the reality of working in a globalized industry. Being able to communicate effectively, adapt to different working styles, and align expectations across cultures are all critical skills.

From your perspective, how has this collaboration contributed to Deeper Partnerships between our institutions?

Jonatan: The success of the initiative showcases the benefits of combining different academic traditions and approaches. The students’ enthusiasm and engagement further demonstrated that these kinds of international projects are not just academically beneficial but also deeply rewarding on a personal and professional level.

What surprised you the most about the way students adapted to working in virtual and cross-cultural teams?

Jonatan: To be honest, I wasn’t particularly surprised by the success of the collaboration—I had high expectations for both Humber and Dania students, given their skills and adaptability. However, I was impressed by how quickly they built a strong workflow despite time zone differences and varying project expectations.

Looking forward, how do you see the role of global education partnerships evolving in higher education?

Jonatan: I believe global education partnerships will become even more crucial in the future. The demand for international collaboration skills is growing, and projects like this provide students with hands-on experience in working across borders. As technology continues to enable seamless virtual teamwork, these collaborations will likely expand, offering even more opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, cross-cultural learning experiences.

Student Perspectives

Students Weeranoot “Vivienne” Luechai and Liubov Stepanishcheva (Humber Polytechnic) as well as Erik Mathiesen, Oscar Junski Rützou, Stefan Christian Müller and Asser Birk Eilertzen (Dania Academy) shared how participating in the project added to their learning experience.

What was your biggest “aha!” moment during this collaboration?

Liubov Stepanishcheva: I was looking through the inspiration for the website and found an art depiction of a cyberpunk city that very closely resembled the game. This is when I realized that “This!” is how I want the website to look and feel.

How did working with international peers push you out of your comfort zone—academically or personally?

Weeranoot “Vivienne” Luechai: I think it pushed me academically. I have always enjoyed making new friends from other countries, as I like learning languages and discovering new cultures. I was hesitant to collaborate with them at first, as I wasn’t sure I could meet their standards. However, I decided to challenge myself and push myself to do my best. 

Time zones, cultural differences, and virtual teamwork—how did you and your team make it work?

Liubov: I think our main success point was that we found a platform for collaboration that we were both comfortable with—in our case, it was Discord. This significantly sped up our communication and made the process smoother.

If you could take one skill from this experience into your future career, what would it be and why?

Vivienne: The ability to take constructive criticism and learning things from another perspective.

What would you say to another student considering a COIL or international learning experience?

Liubov: Don’t be scared of the unknown; international learning is much easier than it seems. Although every international learning experience is different, each one offers valuable skills—or at the very least, a boost to your academic or personal growth. Besides, if it’s something you are interested in, it might be both fun and valuable.

What did you enjoy most about collaborating with Humber students?

Dania Students: They had a professional attitude towards us and the project, and showed a great interest in what we delivered. They demonstrated a wealth of knowledge, having done solid preparation before reaching out with ideas, and were open to suggestions, making for a very smooth experience for us. 

What was the most unexpected or surprising thing you learned about working with Humber students and Canada?

Dania Students: We anticipated communication challenges due to the timezone difference and the fact that this was our first time communicating a project to a non-game developer. To our surprise, neither proved an issue; they perfectly made up for the lack of expertise we have. We know how to create a game but not market it; we could’ve never made as great a trailer for our game as the one we’ve been given.

Thinking about your future career, how did this experience help you develop skills that employers are looking for?

Dania Students: Working with people outside of the team and communicating our vision clearly is essential. This was a learning experience for us, as it is something we’ve never had to do before. Through the conversations, we’ve also gained insight into the work and understanding of how another part of the whole works together to create something more.