The Stevens Initiative Survey of the Virtual Exchange Field is an important effort to document the numbers and types of virtual exchanges connecting individuals with their peers in countries around the world. All virtual exchange implementers (coordinators of large scale programs and individual educators alike) are encouraged to participate in this effort to document this growing area of international education. This survey effort yields critical insights about virtual exchange programs and the evolution and growth of the field.
2023 Survey Information at a Glance
Information and Resources for the 2023 Survey
Helpful information for prospective respondents can be found below. Specific instructions for completing the survey can be found by following this link to the survey. Respondents are encouraged to review those instructions, the PDF of the survey, the recorded resource, and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document before starting the survey. Only responses submitted through the online survey will be accepted.
Please reach out to stevensinitiative.survey@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or requests.
FAQ: Please see a compilation of responses to FAQs about the survey here. If your question is not answered in this document, please contact us at stevensinitiative.survey@gmail.com.
Recorded Resource: You can find a recorded resource that walks you through starting the survey, working with the platform, and how to answer some of the more complicated questions here.
Defining Virtual Exchange: Prior to beginning the survey, please refer to the Stevens Initiative’s Virtual Exchange Typology. For the purposes of this survey, virtual exchange is a method that uses technology to connect people for education and exchange yet can be inclusive of many program types. Common elements of virtual exchange programs include the following:
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- Mediated through technology, but might comprise many activity types
- International, connecting participants in different countries in order to help them gain global competencies, among other knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Often facilitated by prepared, responsible adults who are often—but not always—educators
If you are curious if your program meets this definition, please reach out to us at stevensinitiative.survey@gmail.com. Note: only those participating programs deemed to meet our definition of virtual exchange will be eligible to participate in the below incentives.
Our Appreciation: Participating in the survey offers several opportunities to showcase your work. To show our appreciation for completing this survey, the Stevens Initiative will:
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- Publicly release the aggregated data from this survey in early 2024, including sending a report to all respondents.
- Select a few programs that submit valid responses to be highlighted either in the public report or in a public webinar to discuss the survey findings in early 2024.
- Acknowledge and list all participating and eligible virtual exchange providers on the Initiative’s website with a link to include in your promotional efforts. In 2022, the Initiative’s website was viewed over 140,000 times and outreach list had 10,000 subscribers.
Data Use: The Initiative will only report or share aggregated data and will not share individual responses that are associated with your programs or organization. The Initiative asks for your contact information for the purpose of following up to clarify any questions about your survey responses.
Advisory Group
The Stevens Initiative thanks the 2023 Stevens Initiative Survey of the Virtual Exchange Field Advisory Group for their guidance and support.
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- Ana Cristina Salomao, Assistant Provost for International Affairs, UNESP (Sao Paulo State University)
- Brenda Garcia Portillo, Director of Internationalization Projects, Universidad de Monterrey
- Divinia Jithoo, Specialist, International Education, Durban University of Technology
- Eric Hagley, Lead Coordinator/Research Fellow, The International Virtual Exchange Project/Hosei University
- Jon Rubin, Director, COIL Connect for Virtual Exchange
- Linda Stuart, Director, Global Education Innovation, AFS Intercultural Programs
- Robert O’Dowd, Professor, Universidad de León
- Stefanie Ortiz-Cidlik, Executive Director/CEO, iEARN-USA
The 2023 Survey of the Virtual Exchange Field is supported by the Bezos Family Foundation.
