Eyes Wide Open: Discover the World from Anywhere

Virtual Exchange – Learning with Students in Different Countries

Imagine participating in a podcast about World War II with students in the Philippines or conducting research with students in Mexico about the U.S.-Mexico border crisis. The opportunities are plentiful in OCC’s Virtual Exchange courses where students connect with peers in other countries and develop intercultural skills and new perspectives.

Working in small groups, students engage in collaborative work exploring, discussing and researching different topics that bring classroom learning to life.

OCC student Kimberly Myers-Pinkel enjoyed her Virtual Exchange courses so much that she recently became a certified virtual exchange facilitator through Soliya. She took two OCC courses where students interacted with other college students from Tunisia, Libya, England, France and Palestine.

“One of my main purposes in life is for people to be seen, heard and valued,” she said. “I saw within this virtual exchange program there is a huge opportunity for people in different countries who have felt misunderstood to be seen, heard and valued. I jumped at the chance to have a small part in making that happen.”

History and Social Science Faculty Tony Baracco said Virtual Exchange courses provide a resume building experience that will make OCC students competitive with job seekers from across the globe. Baracco has taught a dozen Virtual Exchange classes with educational institutions in Vietnam, Philippines, China and Mexico.

“This is preparing our students for what’s out there when they leave OCC,” he said. “Many car parts companies have factories in Monterey, Mexico and people are flying down there from Oakland County to work with their partners. Our students have worked with people in Monterey and have made connections.”

Baracco has received positive feedback about the Virtual Exchange program from some of the College’s partners, including Khanh Huyen, professor at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education in Vietnam.

"My students’ feedback that this was a meaningful course not only promoting their own ability in teamwork, researching and skills, but also consolidating and broadening knowledge,” she wrote in an email to Baracco. “Additionally, some of my students still keep in touch with your students via (social networking services)."

In the past OCC, students chose from more than 20 sections of Virtual Exchange classes in business, communication, criminal justice, early childhood education, economics, English, history, mathematics, music, nutrition, political science, and Spanish. Faculty are working on establishing new partnerships for the fall.