Mentoring at the iDiscover Jaffna Field School: Where Maps Met Moments

Thrilled doesn’t even begin to cover it. Being part of the Jaffna Field School as a mentor for illustration was one of those rare experiences where everything aligned—creativity, culture, connection, and a whole lot of chart paper. Over two weekends in the vibrant heart of Jaffna, I had the privilege of guiding students through storytelling and visual exploration alongside a stellar team of mentors.

A Journey that Began in Pettah

The program kicked off with a recce walk through the sensory overload that is Pettah: fruit carts, fabric stalls, yelping uncles, and historic architecture peeking through the chaos. It was the perfect creative warm-up, sketchbooks in hand and eyes wide open.

Onward to Jaffna: Ice Breakers & Idea Storms

Day two, we landed in Jaffna. What followed was a whirlwind of icebreakers, recce walks, briefings, workshops, and masterclasses. Students from Sri Lanka and the Netherlands paired up to explore Jaffna’s rich urban and cultural layers. From bodily representation to education, religious spaces to historic timelines, each team dove deep into their chosen narrative—transforming raw research into expressive, multimedia stories.

As the illustration mentor, I led an urban sketching workshop that was part technical, part sunburn. We strolled through Jaffna fort armed with pens, sketchbooks, and very little shade, capturing ruins, textures, daily motion, and quiet corners. It was messy, imperfect, and beautifully real—just like Jaffna.

Global Feels, Local Roots

One of the most heartwarming aspects was witnessing the bonds formed between the Dutch and Sri Lankan students. What started as polite introductions grew into team hugs, shared sketchbooks, inside jokes, and collaborative brilliance. Seeing Dutch students proudly dressed in Kandyan sarees and sarongs alongside their local peers? A moment I won't forget.

Exhibition Finale: Sarees, Soul Maps & Special Guests

The final weekend culminated in a public exhibition that showcased the students’ collective effort—a series of deeply personal, context-rich installations. From abstract emotional maps to immersive meditation spaces, this was storytelling in its most tactile form.

The cherry on top? The exhibition was graced by the presence of Dutch Ambassador Bonnie Horbach. Her engagement with the students and their stories brought a genuine sense of recognition and encouragement. Her presence, combined with the multicultural teams and a sea of thoughtful narratives, created a space where art, community, and diplomacy came together seamlessly.

From Field School to Lifelong Lessons

Jaffna gave us more than material for maps. It gave us moments. Shared laughter, creative breakthroughs, cultural exchange, and bonds that outlast the workshop itself. Being a mentor here didn’t just mean sharing what I knew—it meant learning alongside everyone else. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.