Abstract:

Virtual Exchange (VE) provides students an opportunity to collaborate with students in other countries without the various costs of travel. This practice of providing a “study abroad” experience domestically provides greater cultural exchange opportunities for students with fewer economic resources thus decreasing inequities in a system that has long favored students from wealthier families. Other names for the same type of practice include Experiential Digital Global Education (EDGE), Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), and Internationalization at Home (IAH).

In April 2021, a Faculty Summit organized by an American university and a French university provided faculty a chance to meet potential collaborators. Following this event, business professors in France and in the United States spent the summer planning joint projects on which their students could work together. In the fall semester of 2021, students were not able to meet “live” in class because of time differences. Students communicated and collaborated outside of class through email, WhatsApp and Padlet to analyze a case study and create a presentation with their conclusions. In the spring 2022 semester, they were able to meet together in their respective classrooms approximately five time through Zoom. Students worked together on three projects which they presented together live in class. Building on this experience, the American university’s International Business course and the French university’s Intercultural Communication courses met synchronously through Zoom almost every week throughout the semester. During earlier classes, groups from each school presented creative (fantasy) product ideas to the class. As students got to know each other better, they began to work in mixed groups to develop an authentic product that could be sold in both countries. In other weeks, the faculty led discussions related to cultural issues. Because interactions were held in English, this provided an English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) opportunity for the students in France.

This paper describes the planning process, common goals for these student interactions, and the challenges that presented themselves from the beginning and throughout the entire experience. The professors intend to continue this partnership and will also share their plans for future interactions.

Keywords:

Virtual exchange, COIL, EDGE, international collaboration, zoom.