“My virtual exchange experience felt more natural than I thought”

Why did you choose to go on this virtual exchange course during your chemistry studies?

“I’d never heard about this sort of experience during my studies and this was a great opportunity for me to gain an intercultural experience whilst remaining in Padua. I wasn’t able to travel at the time and so this was the next best thing.” 

Can you describe the virtual exchange that you took part in?

“The theme was teaching in chemistry.

It was a virtual exchange with the University of Bordeaux in France. We were placed into small mixed groups of Bordeaux and Padua students. During the project, we had to collaborate and at the end, create a sort of video where we teach a virtual class on a topic of our choice. 

We began by getting to know each other first and then we had weekly meetings with our peers in which we had to work together to create a lesson and produce a video demonstrating our work. We also worked asynchronously and we used whatsapp groups too, to communicate in between. 

I have to admit that it was easier than I thought. It was more natural than I thought because, after all, we use our phones and computers daily anyway.” 

Yes, you say it was easy and natural, so what do you think you gained by undertaking the virtual exchange?

“Well, you have to learn to communicate in a different language, so it’s very important to be clear, but also to be assertive, because you want to communicate something, but always with kindness.

And you want to make your point. 

Teaching chemistry is not easy, and you have to translate very complex concepts into an easily understandable language. I found this a very interesting exercise because everyone has a different way of thinking about these concepts, and a different way of teaching them.” 

So, would you say you’ve carried some of what you’ve learned from their perspective and way of teaching into your new job?

“Yes, for sure. If you’re a shy person, like me, it’s a really good way to start to approach meeting new people and speaking different languages. 

I think everyone should try it if they have the opportunity.” 

You worked in teams. How did that dynamic work? Did you give yourselves different roles each week in the team, or was it a real collaborative effort?

“It’s important to give each member of the team a chance to shine. We all have different skills and talents to bring to the group, so working collaboratively is essential. You need to understand where each person feels their best, but also be accommodating if they want to try something new.

It’s important to encourage the shy people, because this is a safe space and you are in control of this virtual space, and the contents you share.” 

What did you learn about yourself during this virtual exchange, during the process and the evolving of the project? Did you learn anything that  surprised you?

“I discovered that despite my shyness, I can do it. I found out that I can lead if I want to. It’s hard for me, but I can do it. And I actually love to collaborate with people in a different language. I think I was able to improve on many fronts during this collaboration and I found it very satisfying.” 

It sounds like it was a really positive experience for you. Is there anything you’d like to add about the best things that you take away from the experience?

“Well, if you want to meet new people, this is a great space, also to meet new friends. 

At the end of this virtual exchange, actually, you can meet with people.

So, for example, with our little WhatsApp group, we still sometimes chat with each other.

Also it’s important to learn about someone else’s culture so it’s an all round great experience 

To go outside, but staying home, so I say – Do it!”

I hear you were saying you’re a shy person, so that must have been one of the challenges you’ve had to overcome during the virtual exchange?

“You have to choose your words very carefully, but also use specific vocabulary relating to the subject of chemistry. So one of our challenges was to explain different very difficult concepts in an easy way.

Sometimes we had to think again about words, about sentences many times, and this was a moment of collaboration, of course, but we had to work at it.”

Do you feel more confident about your English as a result of doing this?

“Yes, of course, by speaking it weekly you improve a little bit, but also you have the chance to learn much more by just reading it, or listening, because you have to interact, you have to force yourself. If you want to communicate with other people, you need to understand what they are saying.

You have to put yourself out there too, as this is collaborative – and you need and want to be heard in your field. 

To anyone considering doing something like this and if you are not sure, just give it a chance, because it is a really good experience.

I think that it is a great way to try something that is completely different using tools you may not be familiar with and which you may get to use in a different way. I highly recommend it as you learn about yourself too!”