Embracing Diversity and Creative Learning
Teaching the Open Campus Block I Intercultural Communication and Leadership class has been an enriching and transformative experience. It was the first time for me to experience Open Campus which I am deeply grateful for. As an educator, I believe in creating a space where learning is not just theoretical but also embodied and experiential. Beyond textbooks and lectures, I strive to make the class a journey where students engage, question, and discover through creative methods and meaningful conversations. One of the core beliefs I hold is the importance of having guest speakers who bring diverse perspectives that challenge the status quo—speakers who don’t look or sound like me.
This approach has enriched our learning environment and created opportunities to explore different facets of leadership, identity, and intercultural communication in ways that are as unique as the people who shared their stories with us.
We began our journey with Anthony Myers, who spoke about the significance of names and naming. Names hold power—they shape identities, communicate culture, and often carry the weight of history. Through Anthony’s lecture, we explored how naming goes beyond just identifying someone or something; it’s a tool for belonging and understanding. It’s a practice that reflects the complexities of identity, culture, and power dynamics, which set the tone for the entire course.
Next, Stefan Charles shared his emotional and powerful insights on leadership and inclusion. His personal stories illuminated how leadership is not just about guiding others but about embracing vulnerability, challenging assumptions, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and included. Stefan’s talk emphasized that inclusive leadership requires a deep understanding of the self and a commitment to ongoing personal and collective growth. The students left the session with a renewed sense of what it means to lead with empathy and authenticity.
One of the very exciting sessions was with Tuaca Kelly, who introduced us to the power of mind mapping and creative approaches to problem-solving. Tuaca’s session was a dynamic blend of practicality and creativity, showing us how we can use mind mapping not just as a tool for organizing thoughts, but as a gateway to conceptualizing complex ideas in innovative ways. An unexpected brainstorming session involving the making of a wedding cake to visualising our future job situations was a cool method that encouraged us to approach challenges with flexibility and openness. It was a reminder that creativity isn't confined to artistic endeavours—it’s essential in leadership, communication, and decision-making.
Olena Korotkova’s session was one of the most deeply impactful for both the students and me. As someone who grew up in Crimea and has been navigating life in Amsterdam since the high-scale invasion, Olena shared her experience of displacement, identity, and resilience. Her personal story highlighted the trauma and complexities of forced migration and how it reshapes one’s sense of belonging and purpose. The session gave us a powerful glimpse into the realities of being a displaced person and reinforced the importance of empathy, solidarity, and understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.
To close the course, Kerry West brought everything together with his inspiring lecture on personal leadership. Kerry's message was clear: leadership starts with the self. He emphasized that true leadership is about knowing who you are, aligning your actions with your values, and leading with integrity. Kerry’s approach was holistic, touching on emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and the importance of continuous self-reflection. His words resonated with me as an educator and as someone who is always learning, reminding me that leadership is a lifelong journey that requires commitment to self-awareness and growth.
As an educator, this course has been a reminder that learning is a two-way process. While I strive to create an environment where students feel inspired, challenged, and supported, I too am learning. Here are a few key takeaways for me:
Diversity of Perspectives: Having guest speakers with diverse backgrounds and experiences is essential in broadening the scope of our discussions. It reinforces the idea that leadership and communication are not one-size-fits-all and that there is no single correct way to approach these topics.
Embodied Learning: Encouraging students to connect with the material on an emotional and personal level helps to deepen their understanding. Leadership and intercultural communication are about more than theory—they are lived experiences that must be felt.
Vulnerability in Leadership: Stefan’s and Olena’s talks reminded me that leadership requires vulnerability. As an educator, I also need to model openness and authenticity, creating a space where students feel safe to be themselves and share their stories.
Creative Problem-Solving: Tuaca’s session reinforced the idea that creativity is essential for effective leadership. I will continue to find ways to integrate creative methods into my teaching, encouraging students to think outside the box and approach challenges with flexibility.
Self-Reflection: Kerry’s emphasis on personal leadership reminded me of the importance of self-reflection, not just for students but for me as well. Constantly assessing my teaching methods and remaining open to feedback ensures that I am growing alongside my students.
Ultimately, this course has been a beautiful exchange of knowledge, stories, and experiences, especially considering we were such an intimate class of 7 students. As I continue to teach, I am reminded that each class is a chance to learn from my students and guests while guiding them on their own journey of growth. I look forward to continuing this process of shared learning, creativity, and intercultural exploration.