UMF student stands in front of mountain landscape.

UMF Global Classrooms Initiative

Go Global in the Classroom and Travel Abroad!

The UMF Global Classrooms Initiative is designed to expand international learning opportunities for students, particularly those in disciplines that traditionally have limited access to study abroad programs, such as Education and Natural Sciences.

Funded by a U.S. Department of Education Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program (UISFL) grant, this initiative aims to internationalize UMF’s curriculum through two primary components: Virtual Global Experiences (VGE) and Global Seminars (GS)

Blending Virtual Connections with Real-World Experiences

In 2020, UMF launched its Global Classrooms Initiative with support from a U.S. Department of Education UISFL grant to expand international learning through Virtual Global Experiences (VGE) and Global Seminars (GS)—programs that blend online collaboration with study abroad opportunities.

A second grant in 2023 allowed UMF to grow these offerings, focusing on students in majors like Education and Natural Sciences who may have fewer study abroad options. It also introduced asynchronous World Language & Culture modules to prepare students for global internships and teaching.

Bringing the World to UMF—One Course at a Time

The Global Classrooms Initiative provides unique opportunities for UMF to:

• Foster the internationalization of its curriculum
• Increase student interest in international and foreign language studies
• Provide professional development support to faculty in order to achieve the above goals

Virtual Global Experiences

The Virtual Global Experiences (VGE) program at UMF connects students with peers around the world through virtual exchanges known as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). These collaborations culminate in a final presentation, either in class or for the broader UMF community.

Through collaboration on a small group project, the students learn key skills sought after in our global economy, including:

  • Gain new global perspectives
  • Develop cultural self-awareness
  • Strengthen their intercultural competencies

Take Your Virtual Experience Abroad

UMF’s Global Seminars take international learning to the next level by adding a travel component to Virtual Global Experiences (VGE). These courses give you the chance to meet and collaborate in person with the same international students you’ve worked with online—turning virtual connections into real-world friendships.

It’s an exciting way to learn, travel, and build lasting global connections—all while earning credit!

For more information about Cross-Cultural Programming, contact:

Office of Experiential & Global Education
University of Maine at Farmington
Rm 207, Mantor Library
116 South Street
Farmington, Maine 04938
Phone: 207-778-7166
jeffrey.willis@maine.edu