Welcome!
Our virtual study abroad solutions are an innovative way to reach more students and faculty, while further promoting traditional study abroad. These virtual study abroad opportunities provide us an opportunity of making a global education accessible to all. Virtual study abroad experiences will continue to develop, diversify, and evolve into the future while going hand in hand with existing programs. Equity in international education has never been more achievable.
Virtual Study Abroad solutions are not intended to be replacements for traditional study abroad, but enhancements, a way to build interest in faculty-led programs. Understanding the value and impact of global learning, our mission is to ensure all students and faculty have access to international education opportunities through an innovative and in-depth format.
We (SAA) deliver Virtual Global Education experiences in three distinct categories:
360 GLE™ Is an interactive platform featuring up-to-date, immersive international education content and experiences to supplement and enhance classrooms, while internationalizing campuses and building globally competent and competitive students. The 360 GLE platform makes international education accessible to all in an easy, effective, and engaging way, with an interactive user interface and an ever growing library of embedded content. Students who can’t physically travel because of mobility conditions, lack of financial resources, time, or are simply unaware of the benefits, can now have an in-depth and interactive international education experience without barriers. Internationalizing curriculum has never been easier!
LIVE Global Learning Experiences are the perfect opportunity to internationalize courses by bringing professionals from around the globe directly into the classrooms to discuss various topics and share global perspectives. Faculty have access to: Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Medical Professionals, Artists, Directors of NGOs, Archaeologists, Anthropologists, Scientists, Engineers, Educators, Musicians, Chefs, Historians, Seasoned Tour Guides, Community Leaders, Sustainability Experts and more! Our LIVE Global Learning Experiences offer informative presentations and workshops with plenty of Q&A and open discussion to enhance your courses and learning outcomes.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs provide the best of all worlds and are a perfect example of the evolution and innovation taking place in international education. By developing traditional study abroad programs that are inspired by 360 GLE units and scheduling LIVE GLE sessions with the local on-ground experts, faculty are able to offer extremely in-depth pre-trip learning opportunities to the students that enhance their overall learning experience on the physical program. Additionally, hybrid programs provide a highly effective recruiting tool to better promote study abroad programs increasing enrollment. Hybrid programs provide institutions an opportunity to develop global education courses in the virtual format ensuring more students can enroll in the course and that the course can still be offered no matter the circumstances.
Testimonials
Hi everyone! My name is Anna Holovach. I am originally from Kiev, Ukraine, and I moved to Florida, USA 4 years ago. I am currently enrolled at Valencia College in Orlando, and I am working on my Valencia Global Distinction program. I would like to say great thanks to Vannia Ruiz, Lindi Courtellis, SAGE Office, and anyone else involved in this program! Thank you for inviting me and all the students to participate in Global Learning Festival.
I would like to say great thanks to Study Abroad Association team! Christian, PJ, James, Philip, Tamara, and anyone else who I forgot about – thank you so much for doing the study abroad available virtually, for bringing 360 experiences into our lives. Huge thanks for all tour guides! Live tours with Becky, Endre, and Francesco are my favorite. Virtual 360 tours in Costa Rica are my favorite. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this project.
I really enjoyed the festival. I tried to get as much as possible from it. Fortunately, I was able to attend 17 tours live and I watched recording of remaining 4. I participated in every Travel Trivia. I took so many screenshots, I knew so many new facts, I shared so many stories with my loved ones! I cannot wait to visit the world on my own or with your guys. I got an incredibly interesting experience during these two weeks!!! And I also acquired some skills like how to do sustainable travel, how to pick a pineapple in the store, and how to cook Ratatouille and Tiramisu!!
Here I would like to share with you my culinary work – I made a ratatouille with chicken tenderloins following Chef Gubinelli’s steps. That came out to be a beautiful, tasty, fragrant, easy to make, DELICIOUS and romantic dinner for two.
BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE!!!
Anna Holovach
Winner of the first GLFest trivia, Valencia College
“I have learned so much from the Costa Rican ecologist and due to the presentations, he gave I have found myself more interested in marine turtles as well as Costa Rica itself. My overall rating of the program presented by the guest speaker is a 10/10 because it was exciting to learn about a topic from a person who actually experiences the teachings on a day to day basis. Having a guest speaker also gives a twist to the class and allows for students to have some variety with online learning.”
Christine Tuaillon
Professor, Biology Department, Nassau Community College
“Every semester students in my oceanology course on Long Island get to spend an afternoon completing an applied learning project at Alley Pond salt marshes in Queens, NYC. However, since March 2020, all my courses have been taught “online/remotely”. Teaching remotely is challenging. And bringing experiential learning into the remote classroom is even more challenging. Thanks to SAA I was able to have my students experience what it is like to work on marine turtle conservation in Costa Rica. Claudio Quesada, the science director for the Pacuare reserve in Costa Rica “joined” my NY remote class through zoom from his office in Costa Rica. He gave an excellent presentation on marine sea turtles biology and conservation. Claudio brought his own experience in marine turtle conservation to give my students detailed feedback on the reality of on the ground conservation work. Thank you Claudio for bringing your real life conservation experience to my students.”
Christine Tuaillon
Professor, Biology Department, Nassau Community College
“Christian coordinated an amazing live Zoom lecture from Costa Rica for our students! Marvin, Costa Rican guide, led the lecture from Monteverde Cloud Forest to discuss local culture, renewable energy, geography and biodiversity. Students were able to participate in the discussion and ask questions. Marvin was very knowledgeable and led an engaging lecture. Marvin also included a special guest speaker who was an expert on the Monteverde Cloud Forest. During the lecture students were able to see an example of a tree that has over 600 species living on it. This virtual experience was a nice option for students to gain international experience when travel is not an option!”
Kim Simpson
Global Initiatives Program Coordinator, Polk State College
“Being able to experience the 360 GLE was a-lot of fun. Unfortunately, because of COVID19, my 2020 Europe trip was canceled but thankfully for the program I kind of felt like I was in Europe, just virtually. I was excited to roam around and see the areas that I will be visiting next year when I go to Europe”
Roselynn
Student, College of Central Florida
“I greatly enjoyed the experience, enough so that I was let down that it ended so soon. I could have done this for another hour, easily, and wish there was a longer version of the tour so we could spend more time visiting sites, learning about the history and culture of Rome, and really immersing myself. I think an entire course on the coliseum alone would be well worth the investment of time, as there is definitely enough material on that great historical monument to justify a deeper dive. And this is only one of many sites in Rome that could be the subject of their own virtual study course.”
Tom Tolios
Bookstore Inventory Control, Joliet Junior College
“The 360 Global Learning Material (GLM) virtual trip was a surreal journey across places that I may never have a chance to visit and if I do, I will have so much hands-on information that will make me familiar with my surroundings. Incredible!”
Lisa
Student, Medaille College
” I think this was the best thing invented since sliced bread. It was so immersive and educational, would love to see more countries virtually.”
Heather
Student, College of Central Florida
“The quality of the tours and live video has been fantastic. The local guides really know their stuff, and are highly engaging.”
Tim White
Director, New Jersey City University Honors Program
