Originating as a learning community, an African American Studies course evolved from fostering social and academic connections within the local campus to cultivating global awareness, grounded in local history. This research talk uses storytelling techniques to weave a data-driven narrative of how the course expanded students' communication and cross-cultural skills through both a virtual exchange and a study abroad experience. Participants will gain insights from both student and instructor perspectives on how these experiences enhanced communication competencies, cultural understanding, and global engagement. As a result of this transformative learning experience, enrollment in the course increased. Additionally, the course’s integration of virtual exchange and study abroad ultimately demonstrated the power of experiential learning in shaping students' academic and personal growth.
