Virtual Exchanges: A New Pedagogical Model for the Post-COVID Era?

Abstract

Virtual exchanges are an emerging form of collaborative learning in which students from different countries connect and share knowledge via technology. We created a novel virtual exchange, Business & Culture, to connect students at institutions in the USA, Egypt, Lebanon, and Libya. The focus of the Business & Culture virtual exchange was on teaching cross-cultural competence, a key skill in today’s increasingly globalized workplace. This paper will explore the design and implementation of this innovative virtual exchange program. We will enumerate the challenges of incorporating the needs and resources of four different institutions, discuss the benefits of the virtual exchanges to both students and instructors, and suggest future adaptations for enhancing the initiative's effectiveness.