Hana credits her current success as an educator and her career trajectory with her formative experience participating and facilitating virtual exchange through a unique program.

English teacher Lhou's participation in Soliya’s Global Circles shifted his approach in the classroom and led to increased student engagement, improved communication, and better learning outcomes.

Nicole Leonard made a life decision to change her major after participating in virtual exchange, impacting her career trajectory. Now, as a digital organizer, Nicole assists low-income households in getting access to publicly funded health and food assistance programs.

Farah’s in-person exchange prompted her to explore other ways of connecting to global peers, leading her to participate in a virtual exchange program.

Amal reflects on how the Connect Program ignited an interest in forming deeper connections with people from different cultural backgrounds and exposed her to new issues and perspectives.

The most important skill I learned is active listening. When we have dialogues, we listen before we respond. If someone wants to speak before me, I learned to be more patient and respectful. I learned to speak slower in an online medium when connection issues may occur.

Listening to the life experiences and political views of others in their age group was very eye-opening. Perspectives changed, and I think that’s mostly due to how the Connect Program was structured, and the various techniques used by the facilitators. Students learned not to jump in with their own opinion before the other person has a chance to express theirs. In their reflections, my students said that being willing to listen to opposing viewpoints is something they took out of the Soliya sessions. They all hope to carry it forward.

Global competencies are echoed in our institutional values, two of which are 1) providing a transformative student experience, and 2) promoting intellectual inquiry through curiosity and academic adventure -- both were achieved through the Connect Program. I would like to see our participation in virtual exchange grow.

Virtual exchange is important for the same reason as a physical exchange program: Young people need to broaden their horizons. They need to meet people who do not agree with them and do not share their experiences.

The Connect Program really filled that void and allowed me to meet with international students around the world. My experience in the program was very special because I got to connect with people from Libya, Egypt, and all over the United States.

Morgan’s motto is “growing the future, leading the world.” Upon graduation, our students need to be ready to engage with people from different countries, languages, and cultures. Of the 8,000 students we have, less than three percent get the chance to actually engage in international learning. We had to find a way to make study abroad more accessible at our campuses and make sure that our students get a global experience. The only solution was virtual exchange.

My course on the built environment includes a component where they have to touch base with their peers, but their peers are all in the same place. The Connect Program brings an international experience and broadens their palette about the different ways in which the built environment affects people.