The Virtual Global Experiences (VGE) program is designed to provide students with opportunities to collaborate with students around the world through virtual exchanges, commonly referred to as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).
Faculty develop a VGE module in one of their courses with an international colleague teaching a similar or related course at their university. The UMF and international students learn about each other’s country — their culture, history, political and economic systems — and collaborate through virtual platforms to plan an event or create a presentation that relates to their course and each participating country. The final product is then shown to students, whether it’s in a classroom setting or for the UMF community to enjoy.
Through collaboration on a small group project in each course, the students learn key skills sought after in our global economy, including:
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- Gain new global perspectives
- Develop cultural self-awareness
- Strengthen their intercultural competencies
Fall 2024
Akita International University (Japan)
FYS100 The Good Life
UMF students in Linda Beck’s first-year seminar The Good Life collaborated with students at Akita International University in Japan. Throughout the semester, students explored their values and visions of The Good Life through meaningful conversations and activities that allowed them to enjoy nature, including the traditional Japanese activity of forest bathing. Students at UMF also had the opportunity to engage in a number of Japanese cultural events facilitated by visiting ALLEX fellow Atsumi Shibata.
Universite Anta Diop de Dakar (Senegal)
ANT240 Environmental Justice
This course examined the environmental justice movement with the premise that all people have a right to live in a clean environment free from hazardous pollution or contamination, and to access the natural resources necessary to sustain health and livelihood. Throughout the course, students explored the social, historical, political, and economic contributors to a denial of such rights for marginalized peoples. By exploring case studies in the United States and globally, we analyze contributing factors to unjust outcomes based on race, class, gender, ethnicity, and other identities; the power dynamics fueling the denial of rights for certain populations; and what is being done to address them. The global perspective was furthered by the class’s partnership with Dr. Abdoulaye Ndiaye’s class from the Universite Anta Diop de Dakar. UMF students in the course also had the opportunity to engage with cross-cultural programming, including a showing of the Senegalese film, Mandabi.
Spring 2024
Conservatorio di Musica (Italy)
HON 277 History of Music & Place
(Repeated in Spring 2024 with Italian student mobility – see description under Fall 2022)
University of Ryukyu (Japan)
UMF students collaborated with students in Japan through virtual conversations, phone calls, and more to create, organize, and present a Japanese Cultural Event at UMF. This event included food originating from Japan, calligraphy tutorials, origami demonstrations, and a screening of an anime movie from Studio Ghibli.
Spring 2022
University of Nicosia in Cyprus (Greece)
EDU 420 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for English Learners
(Taught in Spring 2022, Spring 2023, and Spring 2024)
In spring 2021, Education Professor CJ Howard received COIL training from UNICollaboration – a European organization that promotes international virtual exchanges – with a colleague teaching TEFL at the University of Nicosia, in preparation for a VGE course they taught in Spring 2022. In the past, Dr. Howard actively sought English Language Learners with whom her students can apply pedagogical theories they learn in EDU 420. The new VGE modules permitted her students to collaboratively create a culturally responsive lesson plan with their UNIC counterparts who benefited from practicing their English skills. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled the requirements for the 3 Global Competency micro-credential badges through their training and participation in co-curricular activities including a Cypriot Cultural Celebration that included Greek food. The exchange was so successful that the instructors continued to offer the VGE course in 2023 and 2024.
Fall 2021
Akita International University (Japan)
PSY 230 Death & Dying
In spring 2021, Psychology Professor Natasha Lekes received COIL training from UNICollaboration – a European organization that promotes international Virtual Exchanges – along with Dr. Pamela Jones of Akita International University in Japan, in preparation for the VGE courses they taught in fall 2021. Currently working on a comparative analysis of Death & Dying, Dr. Lekes has taught this course at UMF for years before adding the VGE modules. This new pedagogical approach permitted her students to explore with their Japanese counterparts the intersection between death/dying and cyberpsychology, the topic of their AIU course. Through their collaborative research they compared cultural differences in dealing with death and the practices surrounding it. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled the requirements for the three Global Competency micro-credential badges through their training and participation in co-curricular activities, e.g., Japanese-style forest bathing.
Anglia Ruskin University (United Kingdom)
REH 230 Mindfulness in the Helping Professions
In spring 2021, Rehabilitative Services Professor Gina Oswald received COIL training from UNICollaboration – a European organization that promotes international Virtual Exchanges – and Dr. Julia Carr, a REH colleague at Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, in preparation for a VGE course they taught in fall 2021. Drs. Oswald and Carr have been collaboratively conducting research for a number of years, and decided to develop a new co-taught course on pre-professional training in RHE by including a series of VGE modules. This new pedagogical approach permitted the students to explore with their international counterparts similarities and differences among local service providers in their American and British communities. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled the requirements for the 3 Global Competency micro-credential badges through their training and participation in co-curricular activities including a bonfire in Farmington in celebration of UK’s Fawkes Day.
Universidad de Alicante (Spain)
UMF students in SPA 201H collaborated virtually with students from Spain to learn about their country’s history, culture, and customs so they could present it to the UMF community. As their final presentation, UMF students organized an evening of traditional Spanish dance and appetizers. This event brought traditional Spanish traditions to UMF for students to enjoy for free.
University of the Ryukyus (Japan)
EPP/GEO 238S: Forest Management: Science, Institutions, and Communities
In spring 2021, Geography Professor Jesse Minor received COIL training from UNICollaboration – a European organization that promotes international Virtual Exchanges – with Dr. Bixia Chen, a professor of agriculture at University of the Ryukyus in Japan, in preparation for a VGE course they taught in fall 2021. Drs. Minor and Chen have been collaboratively conducting research for a number of years, and decided to co-teach a course in forestry by including a series of VGE modules. This new pedagogical approach permitted their students to analyze and compare the use of forests in their communities. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled the requirements for the three Global Competency micro-credential badges through their training and participation in co-curricular activities including Japanese-style forest bathing.
Spring 2021
Education University of Hong Kong
EDU 304 Science Education K-8
After receiving COIL training from DePaul University in fall 2020, Education Prof Carole Lee piloted the Virtual Global Experiences program in her Science Education course with Dr. Man Ho Chan of the Education University of Hong Kong. While Dr. Lee has taught this course for a number of years, the introduction of the VGE modules permitted her to add a ISFL component to an otherwise science-focused course. This new pedagogical approach permitted her students to collaborate with MA students at EUHK to develop a science unit plan for middle school students that considers and addresses cultural differences. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled the requirements for the 3 Global Competency micro-credential badges. Due to COVID, the co-curricular activity was limited to the celebration of Asian New Years in the student dining hall. Fortunately, the discussions with their UNSCH counterparts provided a more indepth cultural and linguistic exchange for the UMF education majors.
La Universidad Naciónal San Cristóbal de Huamanga (Peru)
ANT 210 Latin America: Cultures & Contexts
In Spring 2021, Anthropology Professor Nicole Kellett piloted the new Virtual Global Experiences program after receiving COIL training from DePaul University with her Peruvian Counterpart Jefrey Gamarra Carrillo of La Universidad Naciónal San Cristóbal de Huamanga. A Peruvian specialist, Dr. Kellett has taught this course at UMF for years before adding the VGE modules developed under the UISFL grant. This new pedagogical approach permitted her students to collaboratively explore the similarities and differences in their COVID experiences with Dr. Carrillo’s UNSCH students. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled requirements for the three Global Competency micro-credential badges. Due to COVID, the co-curricular activity was limited to the screening of Border South. Fortunately the discussions with the UNSCH students provided a more indepth cultural and linguistic exchange. Films shown in this course included:
Le Mans Université (France)
GEO 219 Geography of Maine
In Spring 2021, Geography Professor Matt McCourt piloted the new Virtual Global Experiences program after receiving COIL training from DePaul University. While Dr. McCourt has taught this course for a number of years, the introduction of the VGE modules permitted him to add a ISFL component to an otherwise US-focused course. This new pedagogical approach permitted his students to collaborate with Geography students at UMFs sister school in Le Mans, France, explore the similarities and differences in social and environmental dynamics that influence life in Maine and France. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled requirements for the three Global Competency micro-credential badges. Due to COVID, the co-curricular activity was limited to the screening of Les Miserables. Fortunately the discussions with their Le Mans University counterparts provided a more indepth cultural and linguistic exchange for the UMF students.
For more information, please email UMFGlobalEd@maine.edu or visit our offices:
Office of Experiential & Global Education
University of Maine at Farmington
106 Fusion Space
117 South Street
Farmington, Maine 04938