So, we just recently said goodbye to a group of French Exchange students who visited our school from Lyon for the first time, and overall, our community gave them rave reviews. Our host families really outdid themselves: organizing smores parties, barbecues, a trip to see a basketball game, and an excursion to Funplex—I mean really never a dull moment! The French kids, too, did some novel things before they came, like sending heartwarming, handwritten Christmas cards “to my future exchange partner” via real mail.
I know…shocking—who do these kids think they are?
And yet, admittedly there was something touching about seeing all this Old World Charm from an “Exchange Skeptic” like yours truly. Why are they all behaving so…warm and fuzzy? I think the genuine warmth of the participants—certainly more than I’ve seen in past years—speaks to a growing desire for real and meaningful connection. That need pervades every aspect of modern life, now more than ever.
So, naturally, I started asking myself, “How can we bring that Old World Charm into our virtual exchanges? Here are a few ideas I thought would be fun.
1. Virtual Time Capsules:
Encourage students to create digital time capsules that represent their current interests, dreams, and daily lives. You could tie this into a LUV course on cultural comparisons, as practice in their foreign language, or prompted by a book discussion. They could include photos, short videos, digital art, and letters to their future selves or their exchange partners. Imagine the joy and curiosity in opening these capsules together in a future virtual meeting or the next academic year. It’s a perfect blend of anticipation and nostalgia, fostering a deep, personal connection across the digital divide. And, while the multimedia aspect could be really fun, the sight of something handwritten or hand-drawn will elicit that same glow that our French friends did with their Christmas cards!
2. Recipe Exchange & Cook-Off:
Food is a universal language that speaks directly to the heart. Why not have students share their favorite family recipes with their virtual exchange partners? Better yet, turn it into a friendly cook-off challenge where students prepare their partner’s dish and share their culinary adventures through photos or videos.
This activity not only celebrates cultural diversity but also creates a shared, tactile experience that transcends geographical boundaries. And you don’t just have to use it with Level Up Village’s food course, either—come up with a creative tie-in to discussions on the environment, as far as local agriculture and ingredients might be a topic of interest, or student ambassadorship, tying in food with local customs or familial traditions!
3. DIY Postcard Creation:
As I mentioned above, in an era where digital communication reigns supreme, the charm of receiving a tangible piece of mail is undeniable. It had such a profound and refreshing effect on our community that I would say have students design and create their own postcards! Tell your pupils to infuse the missives with local flavors, landmarks, or personal artwork.
These postcards can then be scanned and shared digitally with their global classmates, combining the tactile joy of snail mail with the instant connection of digital exchange. You could even have them make a montage of all the postcards to share with their virtual partners! Or, for classrooms that seek out more tech-heavy solutions, encourage students to utilize AI image generators for elements of a collage, or apps like Canva to set up their postcard’s layout.
4. Virtual Talent Show:
I think about the TikTok dance craze, and how everyone was suddenly making videos, and I wonder—is that still a thing? Only one way to find out! Organize a talent show where students can showcase their unique skills and hobbies, from playing a musical instrument to performing a traditional dance or demonstrating a cool science experiment.
This can be a live event or a pre-recorded showcase shared on the secure platform. It’s a fabulous way to celebrate diversity, encourage self-expression, and build a vibrant, supportive community. Again, time-lapsing long shots, and having some background music or narration could make the videos a lot more interesting to your students’ virtual partners, and they might even find a use for the video in other settings, like applications to other programs.
5. “A Day in the Life” Video Diaries:
So, after two weeks of our French visitors hanging around, I figured, they got a really good idea of how a typical day goes for our students. And for some reason, as I often do, I thought of time-lapse videos. Well, now how would that help? Invite students to create short video diaries depicting a typical day in their lives!
From morning routines to school activities and favorite hangout spots to family dinners, these videos could offer a rich window into each other’s worlds, fostering empathy and understanding. It’s like a virtual exchange trip without the jet lag! And they can set their phone to record an appropriate part of their day (when it’s allowed!) and use the time-lapse functionality to keep it holistic, entertaining, and as brief as a TikTok video!
By weaving these creative, interactive activities into your virtual exchanges, you’re not just teaching your students about the world; you’re giving them the tools to connect with it in a meaningful, heartfelt way. Let’s embrace the charm of yesteryear and blend it with today’s technology to create unforgettable learning experiences that bridge cultures, forge friendships, and enrich our global classroom. Here’s to making every virtual exchange an adventure that’s both educational and enchanting!
