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International, Cross-Cultural Learning and Teaching beyond COVID-19: Insights from the Research on Virtual Study Abroad/Exchange
Keywords
international, cross-cultural learning and teaching; virtual study abroad; virtual exchange; research literature review
Session Abstract
Cost, time, and recently COVID-19 and global travel restrictions have limited international, cross-cultural adult and higher education learning in study abroad and international field experiences/exchanges. Come discuss new and more accessible alternatives and implications from virtual study abroad and exchange programs highlighted in research literature across the past 10 years.
Session Description
This session will offer attendees insights from the research literature on virtual study abroad and virtual exchange experiences in colleges, universities, and higher education-business/organization partnerships. Study abroad, international field experiences/internships, and exchange programs offer adult higher education students and faculty opportunities to engage in learning designed to increase/enhance intercultural awareness and sensitivity, cross-cultural competency, global identity development, and global disciplinary perspectives. However, the recent and continuing Covid-19 health concerns, strict global travel restrictions, and the reality that many adult students cannot afford the costs and time needed away from work and family to attend such programs limit opportunities to engage in these meaningful learning experiences. As adult educators and scholars interested in international, cross-cultural adult and higher education, we looked to the research and practice in virtual, internet-based pedagogies and programs to learn more about options that continue the mission of higher education internationalization and adult learning of transversal, culturally-sensitive, and globally-connected competencies. In this session, we offer our initial findings from our review of the literature that answered, “What are the motivations, pedagogical approaches, learning and teaching reflections, challenges, and implications resulting from research on virtual study abroad and exchange in adult and higher education?”