A PPT presentation for the ReThink PSU Winter Symposium, 1/16/2013

1. Virtual Internationalization
through online intercultural exchange
Steven L. Thorne & Vivek Shandas
+ colleagues at PSU and around the world

2. Virtual internationalization?

3. Virtual internationalization through
online intercultural exchange (OIC)
• Interaction/collaboration with international internet-
mediated partners as part of routine coursework
• Any/all subjects and disciplines
• Cost efficient form of intercultural engagement
• All PSU students can (should) participate
– No barriers of time, physical travel, expense
– Makes visible the disciplinary and linguistic abilities necessary
for intercultural collaboration
• Intercultural communicative competence IS
INTERNATIONALIZATION -- central to success in a mobile
and globalizing world

4. Benefits of
Virtual Internationalization
For Students: Direct international experience, intercultural
For Students: Direct international experience, intercultural
awareness, disciplinary knowledge, foreign languages
awareness, disciplinary knowledge, foreign languages
For University Educators: Opening up of classroom /
For University Educators: Opening up of classroom /
Authentic communication and project work / Developing
Authentic communication and project work / Developing
international networks of collaborators
international networks of collaborators
Pre-study abroad: Preparation for physical mobility/
Pre-study abroad: Preparation for physical mobility/
Alternative to physical mobility
Alternative to physical mobility
For Universities: ‘Low cost’ internationalization strategy /
For Universities: ‘Low cost’ internationalization strategy /
Opening up or strengthening intl. university partnerships
Opening up or strengthening intl. university partnerships

5. UNICollaboration Project, 2011-2014
• Financed By The European Commission -
Lifelong Learning Programme (€ 340,000)
• 8 European partners universities (Heidelberg,
Grenoble III, Padova, Czestochowa, Groningen,
UA Barcelona, Open University UK)

7. Why do it?
• Virtual internationalization & OIE work!
• PSU has a long-standing commitment to
internationalization
• Contemporary research networks, professional
and commercial activity, already demonstrably
international in scope
• Ecological validity of VI/OIE to post-Uni life
– Engineers and scientists
– Academic researchers
– Business and commerce
– Professions and trades