Empowering youth across borders through digital skills, civic engagement & intercultural exchange. First cycle complete—more to come!

The first cycle of virtual exchanges under the VIRTUALLYEDU project has successfully concluded, uniting students from EU member states and Eastern Neighborhood countries in a dynamic, transformative learning journey. Delivered through the Metropolitan College’s online platform and Zoom, the program blended interactive online sessions with offline tasks, all designed to deepen participants’ understanding of active citizenship and digital engagement.

Guided by trained educators, students participated in stimulating group work, discussions, and energizing activities, while also completing individual exercises and mini-projects offline. These activities were supported by continuous online peer collaboration, creating a balanced and holistic learning experience.

Beyond the formal curriculum, students engaged in intercultural events such as virtual breakfasts and the Virtual World Café, which became standout moments of the exchange. These informal gatherings fostered cultural understanding, dialogue, and meaningful connections, as participants shared traditions, ideas, and personal perspectives in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Key benefits of the VIRTUALLYEDU exchange program include:

• Participation in online exchanges: Students gained exposure to diverse cultures while enhancing their knowledge in cybersecurity, digitalisation, and essential digital skills.
• Deepened knowledge: Topics such as digital literacy, combating hate speech, multiliteracy, multimodality, and online learning strategies were explored in depth.
• International networking: Participants connected with around 500 peers, building a vibrant global learning and collaboration community.
• Cultural awareness development: Engaging with students from various countries strengthened participants’ intercultural understanding and empathy.
• Digital skill advancement: Through interactive tools and learning platforms, students gained practical skills vital for thriving in today’s digital society.
• Certification: Upon successful completion, students received a certificate acknowledging their active participation and enhanced digital competencies.

With this successful launch, VIRTUALLYEDU continues to empower youth through high-quality virtual exchanges focused on digital readiness, civic engagement, and cross-cultural competence.

Stay tuned for the next cycle and get involved in shaping a digitally skilled and globally connected generation!

For more information and participation opportunities, contact:

Ali Rashidi, The Head of International Cooperation Department at Folkuniversitetet Uppsala, ali.rashidi@folkuniversitetet.se

Yuliia Kozhukhivska, Assistant Project Manager at Folkuniversitetet Uppsala, yuliia.kozhukivska@folkuniversitetet.se