Expectations of the International Virtual Exchange Project

In our project, we simplify the expectation of the international virtual exchange project with more flexibility given to our faculty. The expectations are listed below:

• No new designed courses are expected. This international virtual exchange project can be embedded into the existing courses with some modification to better fit this international virtual exchange project into the course plan and students’ learning objectives.
• The project should be an arc of engagement with the beginning, middle, and end. The time length of this project could be from one-week to one semester. Faculty will decide on the time length based on the nature of the project, learning objectives of the class and the needs and interests of the counter-part faculty and international students. Faculty should treat this project with the beginning, middle, and end, instead of a one-time activity, giving students sufficient time to research, study, work or interact with international partner students throughout the whole project. Meanwhile, the final reflection from participated students is encouraged. The goal of this project is to intentionally help student to gain intercultural experiences and understanding in the subject of the course through intercultural collaborations, dialogues, or reflections between students with international partner students.
• Because of the intercultural context and interactions, a high level of cultural sensitivity and intercultural understanding is expected for faculty to maintain throughout the project.
• Given the collaborative nature of this project, a cooperating and flexible attitude is expected for faculty to maintain while working with international partner faculty and students.
• An active and reflective intercultural learning experiences are expected to be nurtured. This should be a part of participating expectations set up and explained to students prior to the beginning of this international virtual exchange project.
• Please refer to the Framework of developing international active and reflective online course as needed when design projects.