NYC Gazette

During the Fall 2024 semester, a Global Online Learning Exchange (GOLE) program was implemented by an instructor at St. John’s University in collaboration with Anna Yuen from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). This initiative involved students from an asynchronous Intercultural Communication course at St. John's and those from Public Relations and Advertising at HKBU.

The collaboration aimed to create global citizens through virtual exchanges, offering an alternative to traditional study abroad programs. The project began with St. John’s students researching Hong Kong's demographics, holidays, culture, and history on their Canvas course platform. Students from both universities then introduced themselves via “icebreaker” videos on Padlet, allowing them to apply Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory.

In subsequent activities, students shared videos of advertisements from their cultures to highlight cultural values. The exchange also explored nonverbal communication through "a day in the life" videos made by St. John’s students for further discussion with HKBU peers.

At the semester's end, St. John’s students reflected on their experiences through final projects focused on intercultural communication. Many appreciated the opportunity for virtual exchange and expressed interest in learning more about other cultures.

One student remarked, “It was fulfilling to realize the extent of knowledge we could exchange, even with the geographical and cultural gaps that separated us.” Another described it as “intellectually stimulating and personally meaningful,” while a third said it provided “real-world experiences with the concepts learned in class.”

The instructor found it rewarding to observe student growth through this virtual exchange program and hopes to conduct another GOLE iteration soon.