In-Person Creative Writing Workshops for Universities and Organizations
Beyond digital screens, I love bringing people together in person. Whether it is with university students or professional teams, my workshops use storytelling to bridge cultures and foster deep, human connection.
Here I am after leading a journaling workshop for students at Northeastern University. It was a wonderful opportunity to share how writing can be a daily tool for wellbeing, long after World Mental Health Day has passed.
The opening slide for my journaling workshop at Northeastern University. My goal was to provide students with practical writing tools to help them navigate the pressures of academic life and focus on their mental wellbeing.
A group photo from a creative writing class at the University of Toronto. We had students from Egypt, Korea, India, and the Caribbean. The more we discussed our cultural differences, the more we discovered our shared humanity through stories.
When I first considered moving to Canada, taking a writing course at the University of Toronto was on my vision board. Five years later, here I am, living that dream. It's a reminder that dreams do come true.
Standing in front of the blackboard after a class at the University of Toronto. This photo represents a full-circle moment for me, from dreaming of being a student here to sharing my passion for writing with others in the same space.
About this collection
I don't just teach creative writing; I facilitate a space where participants from diverse backgrounds share real stories. In my university sessions, we bypass formal lecture styles to create a 'sootradhar' environment—where we use writing exercises not to grade, but to help students navigate academic stress and uncover their own voices.
In-person workshops offer a different kind of energy. When we are physically together in a room, the barriers that usually hold us back start to dissolve. I have led sessions ranging from journaling for stress relief at Northeastern University to multicultural storytelling groups at the University of Toronto.
In these spaces, my role is to act as a sootradhar—the thread that connects the pearls. I provide the prompts, but the students and participants provide the wisdom. We do not focus on literary perfection. Instead, we use writing as a tool for emotional release. We write to unload the baggage of academic pressure, we write to map out our identities, and we write to recognize that, whether you are from Egypt, Korea, India, or the Caribbean, the human experience is largely the same.
These sessions are tailored for:
- University students dealing with burnout and seeking mental clarity.
- Academic groups looking to build community through shared narrative.
- Multicultural organizations wanting to foster empathy and deep connection.
If you are looking to bring a sense of reflection, play, and genuine human connection to your campus or office, let us connect. My goal is always the same: to help people find their voice, feel heard, and realize that their story matters.
Sailing Leaf
I am not here to lecture or hand out grades. I am here to facilitate a space where you can drop your guard and just write. Whether in a university classroom or a community hall, my goal is to help you connect with your inner voice and find the courage to share it.
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Explore other ways we can connect through writing and self-discovery.
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