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As a USF Instructor and champion of virtual global exchange (VGE), Margarita Altuna is helping connect students across the globe from inside her classroom. Originally from Quito, Ecuador, Altuna is an Associate Instructor of Spanish and is a Doctor of Education Candidate at USF. This year, Altuna has been recognized as a  for incorporating VGEs into her USF classroom. Ambassadors are selected based on their globally relevant pedagogical innovations and contributions.

For her COIL project, Altuna connects Spanish and English language learners from USF and partner institutions to promote communication, collaborating and learning experiences in both synchronous and asynchronous activities. Students are able to participate actively in their learning, reflect on culture, and gain global perspectives. “In the beginning, students were a bit shy,” Altuna says. “But little by little, they opened up and had wonderful projects by the end of the semester.”   

“It was important that the students were working equal amounts of time in Spanish and English,” Altuna explains. “The best way to learn a language is to collaborate and learn from one another to develop the language and communication skills.” Altuna goes on to explain that VGE is more than just about learning languages. “Culture is essential,” Altuna says. “It is so important to work with another person, another human.”  

“Being recognized as a SUNY COIL ambassador is definitely an honor, one that I didn’t expect,” Altuna says. “I do virtual global exchange because I love it. So, when I received this recognition, it inspired me to collaborate more, create more and to try to use that creativity to start more projects.”   

Altuna got involved with VGE slowly, initially introduced when she was a TA at the University of Maryland. “At the time, the students only used emails,” Altuna explains. “When I came to USF on the Sarasota-Manatee campus, we connected with our sister city in Mérida That was the beginning of the adventure.”   

Working with colleague Martha Villalón, English instructor at the Universidad Marista de Mérida (UMM) in Sarasota’s sister city, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico, Altuna developed a VGE program that allows students from each university to learn from one another.  

Not only has Altuna been incorporating VGE into her own classroom, but she also helps other faculty members incorporate it in their curriculum. This past academic year, Altuna has trained 27 new faculty members in the VGE Academy. “I love working with other colleagues, providing ideas and being an example,” Altuna says. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity.” VGEs have become more popular worldwide as other institutions understand the importance of global collaboration in learning. “The growth is amazing,” Altuna says. “Now everyone wants to connect.”