Global Learning

Global learning is of paramount importance to university students as it equips them with vital skills and perspectives needed in an interconnected world. In an era characterized by cross-border collaboration and diverse interactions, global learning fosters cultural competence, enhancing students' ability to communicate and work effectively across different backgrounds. Exposure to international viewpoints challenges narrow thinking, promoting critical analysis and empathy.

Global learning contributes to personal growth, encouraging students to be open-minded and adaptable. Immersion in diverse cultures broadens their horizons, fostering a deeper understanding of complex global issues such as climate change, poverty, and human rights. This awareness enables students to become informed and engaged global citizens, ready to tackle challenges on a wider scale.

Practically, global learning enhances career prospects, as employers increasingly seek candidates with a global mindset and intercultural skills. Universities provide opportunities like study abroad programs, cultural exchanges, and international research projects, allowing students to engage with different educational systems and lifestyles.

In sum, global learning nurtures well-rounded, socially conscious individuals who are prepared to navigate an interconnected world, both personally and professionally.

The COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) at UW Bothell

Since 2013, UW Bothell has conducted a series of professional development workshops for faculty, hosted Global Engagement through Technology symposia, and developed the COIL Fellows program, which supports UW faculty (on the Bothell and Tacoma campuses currently) in launching COIL courses. We are grateful for financial support from the Jackson School of International Studies to launch our initial efforts, and subsequent support from UWB Academic Affairs to continue the program.

In October 2019, UW Bothell, along with UW Tacoma and several other institutions hosted the inaugural International Virtual Exchange Conference in Tacoma. IVEC 2019 brought together over 360 practitioners, professionals, and policy makers from 30 countries interested in technology, international education, and new pedagogies. During the pandemic, IVEC 2020 and IVEC 2021 have been online events, attracting 500 participants from around the world each.