Expert Voices: World Learning’s Jennifer Chen says virtual exchange is “more than just a tool…it is a pedagogy”

May 6, 2025

Jennifer Chen is the director of virtual programming at World Learning. She originally joined the organization in 2016, left for a time to work at Meta on its Education Partnerships team, and returned to World Learning in her current role in 2023.

We caught up with Chen to ask about her thoughts on how virtual exchange programs have evolved over the years and the important role they play in providing educational opportunities for all. Here’s what she had to say.

What is your title and background?

I’m currently the director of virtual programming at World Learning, where I support an amazing team that designs and delivers online trainings for students and educators around the world. I began my career as a high school history teacher. In this role, I explored different digital tools in my classroom and saw firsthand how they could transform learning. That experience sparked my passion for leveraging technology to help learners build the skills they need for the future.

I originally joined World Learning in 2016 to lead the organization’s first virtual exchange program, which connected high school students from the U.S. and Iraq. The goal of the program was to develop students’ leadership skills and cross-cultural understanding. That program, now called The Experiment Digital, has since reached over 5,000 students across more than 30 countries.

In 2020, I joined Meta’s Education Partnerships team, where I helped scale the company’s first K–12 initiative, a program introducing students to engineering, from the U.S. to global markets. I returned to World Learning in 2023 and am excited to keep exploring new ways to expand access to impactful, tech-enabled learning experiences.

How have you seen technology evolve through the years as it relates to exchange programs?

I still remember when I first began working on virtual exchange in 2016. Even then, programs used a range of digital platforms: Learning Management Systems like Google Classroom and Canvas, communication tools like Slack, and in some cases, custom-built video conferencing platforms. At that time, many of my peers found the concept of “virtual exchange” intriguing but often questioned its feasibility and value. It took consistent effort to demonstrate that virtual exchange wasn’t just a cost-effective way to connect people. It could be just as transformative as traditional, travel-based programs.

“By breaking down financial and geographic barriers, virtual exchanges open global opportunities to students who might otherwise not have the chance to participate.”

Fast forward to 2025. Virtual exchange has become widely adopted by organizations and institutions around the world. While the term itself may still be unfamiliar to some, the concept of connecting and collaborating online with peers from other countries is now quite commonplace—accelerated by more accessible digital tools and the global shift prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, implementers are continuing to push boundaries with new platforms and approaches. The integration of AI is also opening up new possibilities. Features like real-time translation on Zoom are helping participants overcome language barriers, making virtual exchange more inclusive and accessible than ever before.

Why are virtual exchange programs important? How can virtual exchanges enhance in-person exchanges (or even serve a purpose in-person exchange programs cannot?)

I believe virtual exchange programs are essential because they make cross-cultural learning more accessible, inclusive, and scalable. By breaking down financial and geographic barriers, virtual exchanges open global opportunities to students who might otherwise not have the chance to participate.

At World Learning, we’ve intentionally designed our programs to be experiential.  Students engage with content independently and then come together in facilitated online spaces to reflect, discuss, and take action. This structure often encourages deeper, more meaningful dialogue, especially for students who are more introverted or need time to process before speaking. Features like the “raise hand” function on video calls also reduce the pressure of jumping into large group conversations immediately, giving students a low-stakes way to contribute, which fosters a more inclusive and thoughtful environment.

“This approach to training focuses on fostering the interpersonal skills needed to navigate complex, cross-cultural interactions in digital spaces, which is essential in today’s global workforce.”

I also see virtual exchanges as a great way to enhance in-person programs. For instance, students in a travel program can meet virtually beforehand to learn about each other’s cultures and set shared goals, which builds trust and makes their time together on the ground more meaningful. After the trip, virtual sessions can help students debrief, reflect on their experiences, and collaborate on follow-up projects. This kind of ongoing engagement extends the impact of the exchange well beyond the physical travel and ensures that the learning continues.

What do you see as the future of virtual exchanges?

I believe that virtual exchange is more than just a tool for students; it is a pedagogy that equips people with the skills and knowledge to collaborate effectively in an online, global environment. It’s not just about learning content but about learning how to connect, communicate, and work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds across the world. This approach to training focuses on fostering the interpersonal skills needed to navigate complex, cross-cultural interactions in digital spaces, which is essential in today’s global workforce.

I can see virtual exchanges help organizations scale out their training programs, offering employees or stakeholders the opportunity to develop competencies such as cultural agility, empathy, and digital communication. What kind of phrases are appropriate to use when working with your colleague in Japan? What kind of online facilitation style would generate the most productive conversation given this multicultural team? A virtual exchange-style training could simulate cross-cultural scenarios, helping employees build rapport and shared understanding, eventually building adaptable, globally-minded teams ready to meet the challenges of an interconnected world.