By Oudou Sanogo | Virtual Exchange Program Manager
Program Overview
United Planet's Virtual Exchange Chapters Program engages secondary schools from diverse parts of the world, including the United States, in synchronous and asynchronous activities over two 8-week modules (October to December and February to April). The Program provides participants with the opportunity to connect and collaborate to exchange about their cultures while addressing local and global issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the 2022-2023 academic year over 400 students and teachers from 18 schools in 10 countries participated in United Planet's Virtual Exchange Chapters Program. This year, the Program extended to a new Region, Nepal.
The evaluation surveys showed that the program was most impactful in increasing participants’ understanding of the global issues youth are experiencing in the other countries, cross-cultural collaboration, and civic engagement. Students discussed and worked on various project-based topics that spanned from gender equality, entrepreneurship, ecotourism, quality education, climate change, food security, mental health, among others.
2022-2023-Virtual-Exchange-Countries - View Image
Impact overview
We administered surveys after each of the two Modules to assess the Program impacts in the areas of Country Knowledge, Cross-cultural Collaboration, Perspective Taking, Civic Engagement, Global Awareness, and overall Program satisfaction. The results below cover the effect size (change) of the impact as well as graphs highlighting the percentage change from participants’ average responses measured on a retrospective scale: participants’ self-assessment pre-program and post-program.
Looking Ahead:
The Program is growing strong into new regions and countries which will further enrich its diversity and experience. The main challenges remain the funds to support existing and new schools in the Program. We are grateful to our donors for continuing to support us in making the Program accessible to underserved and rural schools that otherwise would not have the opportunity to bring this experience to their students. Thank you for all your support and generous donations!
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