Global experiential learning: a pathway to inclusive international education

As educators, we strive to empower all students, regardless of their background, to thrive and become global citizens.   

The University of Leeds, along with many other higher education institutions, has strategic goals focusing on addressing local and global challenges, achieving social justice, reducing inequalities, and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  

Providing students with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom is essential. 

At the University of Leeds, as part of the Curriculum Redefined initiative, we are integrating experiential learning into all our programmes. Alongside the curriculum, short global opportunities enhance the student experience. Not only that, but we know these opportunities help students to develop global employability skills and prepare them for their future careers: 

• The ‘Short-Term Mobility, Long-Term Impact’ report (UUKi, 2021) found that 86.7% of students who participated in short-term mobility experiences secured a graduate job within six months of graduating, compared to 73.2% of non-mobile graduates.  
• Additionally, a study by Kratz and Netz (2016) revealed that students who participated in short-term international mobility programmes experienced steeper wage growth and earned higher wages in the medium term compared to those who did not participate

In our upcoming session at the UUKi Global Mobility Conference, we will discuss our Global Experiential Learning project. The aim of the project is to support the development and growth of a diverse portfolio of accessible global opportunities.  

These opportunities are supported by the Turing Scheme and alumni donor funding. They develop students’ leadership skills, a global mindset and the ability to address real-world challenges while working in cross-cultural teams. 

We will explore how experiential learning equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary for their career aspirations and the needs of society and employers, as well as our creative approach to applying for funding. 

Our Global Experiential Learning project supports key strategic objectives: 

1. Student education: Our programmes are built on powerful experiential learning techniques and enable students to develop and articulate key global employability skills, aligning with our strategic aim to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed for their careers. Additionally, these programmes support the Access and Student Success Strategy by providing diverse employability opportunities and evidence-based interventions to attract, retain, and support students from all backgrounds. 
2. International engagement: By leveraging local and diverse networks in overseas cities, our programmes immerse students in different cultures and contexts. This supports our strategic aim to create global partnerships that provide international learning and research opportunities, fostering engaged global citizens. For many students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, a year abroad may not be feasible. Our short-term programmes offer a flexible alternative, supporting the creation of an internationally relevant curriculum that provides inclusive global study and mobility opportunities. 

To ensure the effectiveness of our programmes, we will incorporate pre- and post-placement surveys, target case studies and student feedback. This reflective process helps identify skills and gaps, fostering continuous improvement and ensuring that our students gain the most from their experiences. 

Join us at our conference session to learn more about these transformative programmes and how they will inform the future of diverse and accessible global opportunities. We are looking forward to discussing with you how we can continue to create a more inclusive and globally engaged student community.