Virtual Global Experiences

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:

• • Gain new global perspectives
  • Develop cultural self-awareness
  • Strengthen their intercultural competencies

Spring 2025

EDU 277/377 Learning Across Borders – Exploring Education in Portugal and the USA

This course is an examination of schools and schooling in Portugal and the United States. It will include a Virtual Global Exchange with education students in Lisbon who we will meet when we travel in May. The focus of the course will be international and comparative education. Students from all majors are welcome and can take the class as EDU 277 (education elective), EDU 377 (education elective) or INS 280. 

HON 175 / POS 177 Global Perspectives on Democracy

Each year, a conference is organized in Camden, Maine on a topic related to world affairs. This year’s topic is “Democracy under Threat: A Global Perspective.” Presentations at the Conference feature experts from the worlds of diplomacy, journalism, business, and academia. Students will read and discuss materials related to the conference theme in preparation for the conference, which they can attend in person or virtually February 21-23.

After the conference, students will participate in a virtual exchange with students from France, Senegal, and South Africa to further explore Global Perspectives on Democracy. Students in this course will be able to apply for a scholarship under UMF’s Global Classrooms program to participate in a French Language & Culture program at Le Mans University. The scholarship will cover the program fees, lodging, and tuition for 6 transferable credits for the 3-week program to be held June 16-July 4. Students are responsible for transportation to and food during the program.

CHI177 Chinese Culture and Society

Students in Chinese Culture and Society have the opportunity to learn about the Chineses language and culture from Dr. Ruifang Han, visiting professor from Northeast Normal University (NENU). As part of this course, they will participate in a virtual exchange with students from NENU to engage in direct cultural exchange.

For more information on this course, visit our Global Seminars page.

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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.

Université 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. 

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Spring 2024

Conservatorio di Musica (Italy)

HON 277 History of Music & Place

In spring 2021, Music Professor Steve Pane received COIL training from UNICollaboration along with Drs. Cecelia and Stefania Franchini, Italian colleagues based at music conservatories in Venice and Pescara. UMF was able to identify these collaborators through a prior COIL training they did with UMF Global Education Assistant Director Lynne Eustis in February 2021. Over the next year, the three professors developed a series of VGE modules that were implemented in fall 2022. The VGE pedagogical approach permitted students at dramatically different institutions (Italian conservatories v. American liberal arts) to jointly create musical pieces tied to the theme of water, including lyrics and imagery. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled the requirements for the 3 Global Competency micro-credential badges. The success of the VGE was evident in Fall 2022 by their decision to offer this course in spring 2024, adding student mobility and in-person performances to their collaboration.

University of Nicosia in Cyprus (Greece)

EDU 420 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for English Learners

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.

Le Mans Université (France)

POS 277 France Global Seminar

In fall 2020, Geography Prof. Matt McCourt was among the 1st at UMF to receive COIL training for the piloting of a VGE with Le Mans University colleagues in spring 2021. In spring 2024, McCourt agreed to teach a Global Seminar with LMU. Initially delayed by COVID, the GS was supposed to be with Senegalese partners at UCAD led by a French Prof who was retrenched in 2022. After agreeing to lead the course, McCourt was forced to find a new francophone collaborator due to political instability in Senegal.  Despite all these challenges, this GS included a highly developed virtual exchange over 5 weeks with LMU geography students, followed by a reciprocal travel component with UMF students studying sustainable tourism in France and then LMU students coming to Maine. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled the requirements for the 3 Global Competency badges.

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Fall 2023

University of the Ryukyus (Japan)

EPP 214 Asia: People and Environments

In spring 2022, Geography Professor Brad Dearden received COIL training through a workshop designed by UMFs instructional designer, Mary Dindorf, based on her own training with DePaul University and UNICollaboration. Dr. Dearden was able to team up with Dr. Bixia Chen, a professor of agriculture at University of the Ryukyus in Japan who previously co-taught a VGE with Dearden’s UMF colleague Jesse Minor. Although he had previously taught this Asian Geography course for a number of years, the inclusion of the VGE modules permitted his students for the first time to collaborate with Asian students in their comparative analysis of how natural resources are used in their respective 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 the screening of Howl’s Moving Castles, a popular anime film.

Akita International University

FYS 101 First Year Seminar

In fall 2020, Art History Prof. Sarah Maline was among the 1st at UMF to receive COIL training in preparation for the piloting of a Global Seminar with our Japanese partners at Akita International University. Global Seminars are designed to combine a VGE with student mobility that permits first-hand exploration of another language and culture. Delayed by COVID for 2 years, the 1st GS in fall 2023 was a First Year Seminar designed to provide incoming students with early exposure to ISFL and study abroad. While the VGE was limited to pre-departure virtual meetings, UMF students – many of whom had not previously left their state let alone the US – were deeply impacted by their experience in Japan, leading to new enrollments in Japanese courses and interest in studying at AIU. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled the requirements for the 3 Global Competency badges through their participation in co-curricular activities involving Japanese food, tea and film.

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Spring 2023

University of Nicosia in Cyprus (Greece)

EDU 420 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for English Learners

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.

Université Anta Diop de Dakar (Senegal)

ANT 277 Environmental Justice

After completing a VGE with a Peruvian colleague in spring 2021, Anthropology Prof. Nicole Kellett developed a new VGE course on Environmental Justice in spring 2023 with English Profs. Louis Mendy and Abdoulaye Ndiaye of the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar Senegal. (Dr. Mendy had previously received COIL training as he was initially scheduled to co-teach a VGE course with UMF French Prof. Andre Siamundela who was unfortunately retrenched in spring 2022.) Through the VGE modules, the students comparatively analyzed global environmental issues that are impacting both Maine and Senegal and offer potential solutions. 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 an Easter Celebration à la Sénégalaise. Despite the retirement of Dr. Mendy, Kellett and Ndiaye plan to continue their VGE collaboration in fall 2024.

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Fall 2022

Stone Child College (Montana)

ANT 277 Anthropology of Borderlands

In spring 2022, Anthropology Professor Gaelyn Aguillar received COIL training with Amanda Belcourt, an instructor at Stone Child College in Montana, in preparation for a VGE course they taught in fall 2022. The COIL training was through a workshop designed by UMFs instructional designer based on her own training with DePaul University and UNICollaboration. Given Aguillar’s work on borderlands, she requested to work with a US Tribal College, challenging the limitation of global to only those institutions/communities that lie beyond the US borders. Inclusion of the VGE in this course permitted the students to explore the similarity and differences among borders in the world and specific issues that arise in borderlands. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled the requirements for the 3 Global Competency badges through their training and participation in co-curricular activities including Indigenous People’s Week at UMF and the exchange of sweet grass and whoopie pies.

Conservatorio di Musica (Italy)

HON 277 History of Music & Place

In spring 2021, Music Professor Steve Pane received COIL training from UNICollaboration along with Drs. Cecelia and Stefania Franchini, Italian colleagues based at music conservatories in Venice and Pescara. UMF was able to identify these collaborators through a prior COIL training they did with UMF Global Education Assistant Director Lynne Eustis in February 2021. Over the next year, the three professors developed a series of VGE modules that were implemented in fall 2022. The VGE pedagogical approach permitted students at dramatically different institutions (Italian conservatories v. American liberal arts) to jointly create musical pieces tied to the theme of water, including lyrics and imagery. Each student earned a VGE certificate and fulfilled the requirements for the 3 Global Competency micro-credential badges. The success of the VGE is evident by their decision to offer the course again in spring 2024, adding student mobility and in-person performances to their collaboration.

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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.

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.

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.

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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 (AIU) 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.

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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 in-depth cultural and linguistic exchange for the UMF students. 

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