An online cross-cultural education program integrated into existing post-secondary curricula in more than 200 universities across 35 nations, providing a deeper understanding of the perspectives of others on important socio-political issues and crucial 21st Century skills, including critical thinking, communication, and digital media literacy.
Make it Count
Participants agree or strongly agree that the Connect Program significantly enhances key 21st Century attitudinal skills through meaningful cross-cultural engagement with peers globally.
92% Active Listening
81% Critical Thinking
77% Collaboration
“Not only did students gain the skills that we expect, this time they felt a sense of deep personal connection that they may be missing in other aspects of their life due to the pandemic.”
Gina Amatangelo, University of Texas at San Antonio
Connect Global
Enhance communication skills and improve attitudes toward difference through discussions framed around current social challenges and world events.
The program brings together participants from disciplines including, but not limited to, the humanities, sciences, engineering, and business.
Specialized Track: Connect Global – Foreign Affairs employs the same curricular module and is tailored for those interested in exploring the perceived cultural fault line between the West and the Muslim world through political, social, and personal values-based discussions.
Length: 8 weeks
Connect Collaborate
Hone team-building skills through project based learning activities.
Emphasizing the practical application of lessons, participants are guided through a group exercise, such as an online awareness campaign developed to address a topic of current relevance and interest.
Length: 5 weeks
Connect Express
Encourage thoughtful discourse in a digital society and explores how identity constructs and assumed archetypes influence engagement across cultural and continental divides.
Participants or courses with the greatest time constraints are best served by this condensed engagement opportunity.
Length: 4 weeks
“The ability to link an idea to a voice and face was very helpful to fully comprehend their viewpoint.”
Student, Oakland Community College
Current Partners
Al Akhawayn University
American Corner Tunis
American Language Center in Marrakesh
American Language Center in Tangiers
American University in Cairo
American University of Sharjah
An Najah National University
Ankara Medipol University
Azim Premji University
Bethlehem University
Bielefeld University
Bluefield State College
Campbell University
Chimie ParisTech
École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
Ecole Supérieure de l'Economie Numerique
Esprit Business School
Faculte des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines de Sousse
Forman Christian College
Goucher College
Harper College
HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
Islamic University in Gaza
Jesuit Worldwide Learning- Afghanistan
Jesuits Worldwide Learning- Iraq
Junior Chamber International (JCI) - Syria
Lebanese American University
Lebanese International University
Moraine Valley Community College
Morgan State University
Northwestern Michigan College
Oakland Community College
Oakton Community College
Soran University
St. Xavier's College, Autonomous
State University of New York at Potsdam
Stockton University
SUNY Purchase College
Tennessee State University
Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Università Degli Studi di Udine
Universite de Rouen-Normandie
Universite Paris Saclay
University of Benghazi
University of Carthage
University of Erlangen-Nürnberg
University of Kent
University of Maine at Machias
University of Monastir
University of Northern Colorado
University of Padova
University of Pavia
University of Portsmouth
University of San Diego
University of St. Thomas
University of Texas San Antonio
Zayed University
Connect Program is implemented by Soliya and is supported by the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI). JCSVEI is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute.