New Virtual Exchange approaches can be successfully adopted to increase student international engagement. Survey data will show that these exchanges increase students’ ability to communicate effectively with members of other cultures and to think critically before making conclusions about the world.
Virtual exchange (VE) has been adopted across disciplines to connect students and faculty across national borders and campuses. Motivated by the recent pandemic, the use of VE has grown exponentially to enhance conversation practice between language students and native speakers. The common model, however, is limited in providing rich cultural immersion. However, a new approach has emerged via LinguaMeeting called “Experiences”. These Zoom-style events offer diverse cultural opportunities in the target language ranging from a personalized concert by a Spanish-guitar-playing host, to a Honduran cooking class, a walking tour of Sevilla, and a guided bike ride through Cali, Columbia.
Survey data, of 130 undergraduate students from a large research institution who responded to modified versions of the International Critical Thinking (IntCRIT) and International Communication (IntCOMM) scales (University of Florida, 2014), strongly suggest that participation in such exchanges can increase students’ effective communication and critical thinking skills in interpreting global and intercultural issues.
This presentation will demonstrate newly emerging immersive VE approaches can be successfully adopted to internationalize the curriculum. These pedagogical endeavors are not limited to the language classroom but should be considered as an available resource for all disciplines as a simple yet effective way to provide authentic virtual connections across borders for all students.