This past trimester marked my first time teaching Storytelling by Design at Mahidol University International College (MUIC)—a course I was especially excited to develop and deliver. It was also the first time I dedicated an entire class to the craft of storytelling, and I couldn’t be more proud of what the students achieved in such a short time.

Spread from a children picture
A spread from students’ work for the class Storytelling by Design

Coming from a range of majors, students were given the freedom to choose their medium: a short film, a picture book, or a comic. My goal wasn’t to focus on format, but rather on the strength and clarity of their narratives. And they rose to the challenge beautifully.

Group photo of Gabriel camelin and his students in MUIC campus
Group photo of Gabriel Camelin and his students at the MUIC campus

Students pitched their ideas in November and presented their final projects in early December, using the PechaKucha format. For one group, we even had the opportunity to screen their work in MUIC’s dedicated screening room—a moment that truly brought their stories to life.

Frames from a student shortflim
Spread from a children picture
A spread from students work for the class Storytelling by Design taught by Gabriel Camelin

Considering they only had about five weeks to develop and execute their projects, the results were incredibly thoughtful, creative, and well-executed. Their dedication reminded me of why I love teaching—and why storytelling remains such a powerful tool across disciplines.

I’m also grateful to my new colleagues at MUIC for their support throughout this transition. I’m looking forward to the next trimester, with more classes, deeper collaborations, and the chance to supervise thesis students.