A global initiative that is spreading with enthusiasm from faculty and students alike, the Global Conversations are 90-minute interactive, interdisciplinary virtual sessions. They serve as brave spaces for college and university students to talk to their peers throughout the world on a variety of topics.
This year, some of the Global Conversation topics included global health, building intercultural understanding and communication skills, mental health and a sense of belonging at university, sustainable development and the impact of AI on professions in language education, tourism and marketing. Over 500 students participated in the 16 sessions facilitated by international faculty teams.
The impact was felt across both sides of the screen. As one faculty member reflected, "The synergy established between both the faculty team members but also with the student audience, as well as the liveliness of the discussions," made for a truly memorable experience. Another noted, "The water stories shared a common echo, grounded in human experience, although the narratives were so diverse."
Students echoed that sentiment. "This was a truly enriching experience. Connecting with students and professors from different countries around a topic that affects us all was incredibly valuable. I hope to join future sessions!" said one participant. For others, the sessions sparked something deeper: "The statement that the most valuable skill in the future will be knowing when NOT to trust a translation — that really stuck with me and changed how I think about my role as a future translator."
While many of the faculty members had facilitated Global Conversations in the past, there were a few newcomers from institutions such as American University of Sharjah in the UAE, I-Shou University, and Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan, Bursa Uludağ Üniversity in Türkiye, and Alba Graduate Business School in Greece, thereby broadening our reach. As one first-time participating faculty member put it, "This was my first Global Conversations experience with my students, and it was incredibly exciting and enjoyable. I would truly love to see this initiative continue and grow even further."
And the commitment to growth continues from within. "Each year we refine the session to increase student voice and keep the environment friendly. I look forward to continuing this improvement next year," shared a returning faculty facilitator.