The Global Learning Experience program allows for faculty to reach students of various disciplines in more than 25 countries, with the use of tech tools. In February, participants from some of DePaul’s global partner institutions participated in a workshop via a video conference call. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)DePaul is being honored with a national award for its innovative program, the Global Learning Experience, which brings students from around the world together using technology.
The association of international educators — NAFSA — is recognizing DePaul with a 2020 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for Campus Internationalization. The NAFSA Simon Awards recognize outstanding innovation and accomplishment in campus internationalization, defined by the association as a conscious effort to integrate and infuse international, intercultural and global dimensions into the ethos and outcomes of their students’ education. They are named after the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois, who was a strong advocate for international education and cross-cultural learning.
"The GLE increases equity in access to transformative intercultural experiences for our students, as an affordable and environmentally sustainable complement to traditional student mobility," says GianMario Besana, associate provost for global engagement and online learning.
“It is an innovative component of DePaul’s strategy for international education that helps students acquire 21-century skills through virtual global collaboration in a multicultural environment,” he notes.
The Global Learning Experience, which began in 2013-14, enables faculty and students to collaborate on joint projects and interact with classrooms in other countries without the time and expense of travel. More information about the program is
here.
“At NAFSA, we are guided by our belief that international education lies at the core of an interconnected world characterized by peace, security and well-being for all,” says Ester D. Brimmer, executive director and CEO.