Digital narratives for a changing world

An international virtual learning experience on climate change

Authors

  • Isidore Udoh Northeastern Illinois University, USA
  • Margaret Workman DePaul University, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/gqfxc366

Keywords:

interational students, virtual exchange, study abroad, higher education, international academic mobility

Abstract

As the climate crisis continues to accelerate, multiple sectors of society are working collaboratively to research, develop, and implement strategies and policies that target the sources of the problem to slow or reverse climate change impacts. As centers of innovation, institutions of higher education have sought to develop new curricula that enhance students' abilities to tackle climate change locally and globally. Universities have developed virtual learning exchange curricula that connect students from multiple countries and prepare them to work collaboratively to develop solutions for local and global challenges such as climate change. This paper presents findings from a virtual exchange program in which undergraduate university students living in the Greater Chicago region in the United States and the city of Calabar in Nigeria researched and reported on experiences of climate change impacts within their local environments and appropriate ideas for mitigation and adaptation.

Author Biographies

  • Isidore Udoh, Northeastern Illinois University, USA

    Isidore Udoh, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences and Physical Education at Northeastern Illinois University, USA. His major research interests lie in health disparities, disease prevention, natural resource extraction, conflicts and health, ecological determinants of health, international education, and international virtual learning exchange. Email: i-udoh@neiu.edu

  • Margaret Workman, DePaul University, USA

    Margaret Workman is an Instructor in the Department of Environmental Science and Studies at DePaul University, USA. Her major research interests are biogeochemistry, the  ecological impacts of resource extraction, online learning in the sciences, international education, and international virtual learning exchange. Email:  mworkman@depaul.edu

References

Abrahamse, A., Johnson, M., Levinson, N., Medsker, L., Pearce, J.M., Quiroga, C., & Scipione, R. (2015). A virtual educational exchange: A north‒south virtually shared class on sustainable development. Journal of Studies in International Education, 19(2), 140-159. https://doi.org/10.1177/102831531454 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315314540474

Agyeman, J. (2013). Introducing just sustainabilities: Policy, planning, and practice. Zed Books. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350219823

Akram, A. A., Abidoye, B., Kannan, S., & Omotoso, K. (2025). The impact of climate change on African agriculture: A Ricardian analysis of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Climatic Change, 178(3), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-025-03878-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-025-03878-8

Alvarez, M. C. C., Mendoza, M. P., Tellez, M. A. V., Perez, C. D. Z., Calcaneo, I. A. C., & Garcia, S. M. A. (2025). Virtual exchange program as part of the internationalization of the curriculum strategy in a Mexican context: An ethnographic study. Journal of International Students, 15(1), 25-42. https://doi.org/10.32674/2n3mm069 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/2n3mm069

Amadi, L. (2013). Climate change, peasantry and rural food production decline in the Niger Delta Region: A case of the 2012 flood disaster. Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research, 1(6), 94-103. http://sciencewebpublishing.net/jacr/archive/2013/December/pdf/Amadi.pdf

An, H., Gan, J., & Cho, S. J. (2015). Assessing climate change impacts on wildfire risk in the United States. Forests, 6(9), 3197-3211. https://doi.org/10.3390/f6093197 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f6093197

Ardoin, N. M., Bowers, A. W., & Gaillard, E. (2020). Environmental education outcomes for conservation: A systematic review. Biological Conservation, 241, 108224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108224 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108224

Arkoudis, S., Baik, C., & Richardson, S. (2013). English language standards in higher education: From entry to exit. ACER Press.

Bai, L., & Wang, Y. X. (2024). Combating language and academic culture shocks—International students’ agency in mobilizing their cultural capital. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 17(2), 215. https://doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000409 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000409

Bendorf, J., Atucha, A., Guedot, C., Holland, L., Parker, S., Nowatzke, L., & Todey, D. (2025). Climate Change Impacts on Tree Fruits and Viticulture in Midwestern Region. United States Department of Agriculture Climate Hubs and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.

https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Climate%20Change%20Impacts%20on%20Tree%20Fruits%20%26%20Viticulture%20in%20the%20Midwestern%20Region.pdf

Biereenu-Nnabugwu, M., Obiajulu, A. O., & Abah, N. C. (2015). Oil wealth and underdevelopment in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 20, 13-21. DOI: 10.9790/0837-201011321

Chen, R. T. H., & Yang, R. (2014). A study on the participation of international students in intercultural online discussions. Journal of Research in International Education, 13(3), 235-247. https://doi.org/10.1177/1475240914548751

Climate Stories Project. (2021). https://www.climatestoriesproject.org/tell-your-story.html

Coolsaet, B., & Deldrève, V. (2024). Exploring environmental justice in France: Evidence, movements, and ideas. Environmental Politics, 33(5), 757-777. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2023.2293434

Davidhizar, R., & Lonser, G. (2003). Storytelling as a teaching technique. Nurse Educator, 28(5), 217-221. DOI: 10.1097/00006223-200309000-00008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00006223-200309000-00008

Davison, R.M., Panteli, N., Hardin, A.M. and Fuller, M.A. (2017). Establishing effective global virtual student teams. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 60(3), 317-329. DOI:10.1109/TPC.2017.2702038 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TPC.2017.2702038

Deardorff, D. K. (2006). Identification and assessment of intercultural competence as a student outcome of internationalization. Journal of Studies in International Education, 10(3), 241-266. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315306287002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315306287002

DePaul Teaching Commons. (2023). Global learning experience. https://resources.depaul.edu/teaching-commons/programs/global-learning/Pages/default.aspx

Erpestad, K. E. (2013). Once upon a time: The power of oral storytelling as a tool for environmental education.

https://conservancy.umn.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/b73a371b-93fc-41ea-be4b-275a5ba5e68f/content

Falaki, A. A., & Adegbija, M. V. (2013). Investigating the use of the media in disseminating information on climate change in north central Nigeria. Global Media Journal-African Edition, 7(1), 13-39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5789/7-1-122 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5789/7-1-122

Giralt, M., Betts, A., Pittarello, S., & Stefanelli, C. (2022). Scenarios for the integration of virtual exchange in higher education. Journal of International Students, 12(S3), 116-134. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12iS3.4629 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12iS3.4629

Glass, C. R., Wongtrirat, R., & Buus, S. (2015). International student engagement: Strategies for creating inclusive, connected, and purposeful campus environments. Stylus Publishing.

Gruenewald, D. A. (2003). The best of both worlds: A critical pedagogy of place. Educational Researcher, 32(4), 3-12. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X032004003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X032004003

Gutiérrez, B. F., Glimäng, M. R., Sauro, S., & O'Dowd, R. (2022). Preparing students for successful online intercultural communication and collaboration in virtual exchange. Journal of International Students, 12(S3), 149-167. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12iS3.4630 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12iS3.4630

Haq, Z. U., Rasheed, R., Rashid, A., & Akhter, S. (2023). Criteria for assessing and ensuring the trustworthiness in qualitative research. International Journal of Business Reflections, 4(2), 150-173. https://doi.org/10.56249/ijbr.03.01.44 DOI: https://doi.org/10.56249/ijbr.03.01.44

Hassan, I., Kalin, R. M., Aladejana, J. A., & White, C. J. (2020). Potential impacts of climate change on extreme weather events in the Niger Delta part of Nigeria. Hydrology, 7(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology7010019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology7010019

Hawthorne, M. (2023, May 19). Biden EPA pushes for federal regulation of toxic coal ash dumps threatening drinking water in Illinois, Indiana and other states. Chicago Tribune.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2023/05/19/biden-epa-pushes-for-federal-regulation-of-toxic-coal-ash-dumps-threatening-drinking-water-in-illinois-indiana-and-other-states/

Heo, H. (2004a). Inquiry on storytelling for the web-based environmental learning environment. Association for Educational Communications and Technology. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED485140.pdf

Heo, H. (2004b). Story telling and retelling as narrative inquiry in cyber learning environments. In Atkinson, R., McBeath, C., Jonas-Dwyer, D., & Phillips, R. (Eds.), Beyond the comfort zone. (pp. 374-378). Proceedings of the 21st ASCILITE Conference. https://www.ascilite.org/conferences/perth04/procs/pdf/heo.pdf

Holdsworth, C. (2010). Why volunteer? Understanding motivations for student volunteering. British Journal of Educational Studies, 58(4), 421-437. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071005.2010.527666 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00071005.2010.527666

IIE. (2019). HIVE. Internal Information Documents for Teachers.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2023). Synthesis report of the IPCC sixth assessment report.

https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_SYR_LongerReport.pdf

Jack, J. T.C.B, & Zibima, T. (2018). Gas flaring and the energy poverty paradox in the Niger Delta. Abuja Journal of Sociological Studies, 5(2), 168-189.

Jaskolski, M., & Udoh, I. (2020). Building Cross-Cultural Sustainability Discourses in Higher Education: A Virtual Exchange Program between Egypt and the United States. The International Journal of Sustainability in Economic, Social and Cultural Context, 18(1), 43. DOI:10.18848/2325-1115/CGP/v18i01/43-63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1115/CGP/v18i01/43-63

Kendall, J. (1990). Combining service and learning: A resource book for community and public service. National Society for Internships and Experiential Education.

Kollikkathara, N., Feng, H., & Stern, E. (2009). A purview of waste management evolution: Special emphasis on USA. Waste Management, 29(2), 974-985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2008.06.032 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2008.06.032

Kruger, T.M., McCreary, N., Verhoff, B.L., Speer, J. H. and Stephen, P. (2020). College students’ understanding of social justice as sustainability. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 21(3), 513-530. DOI:10.1108/IJSHE-06-2019-0196 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-06-2019-0196

Leask, B. (2015). Internationalizing the curriculum. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315716954

https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315716954

Li, Q., Liu, Q., Jiang, M., & Wang, R. (2024). Virtual reality as a bridge: enhancing intercultural learning and communication skills among international students. International Communication of Chinese Culture, 11(3), 385-411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40636-024-00297-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40636-024-00297-9

Liu, X., Liu, S., Lee, S., & Magjuka, R. J. (2010). Cultural differences in online learning: International student perceptions. Educational Technology & Society, 13(3), 177-188. https://www.jstor.org/stable/jeductechsoci.13.3.177

Lee, J. J., & Rice, C. (2007). Welcome to America? International student perceptions of discrimination. Higher Education, 53(3), 381-409. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-005-4508-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-005-4508-3

Madge, C., Raghuram, P., & Noxolo, P. (2009). Engaged pedagogy and responsibility: A postcolonial analysis of international students. Geoforum, 40(1), 34-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2008.01.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2008.01.008

Maharjan, B., Pant, B. P., & Dahal, N. (2024). Participatory learning: Exploring place-based pedagogy for future teachers. Pedagogical Research, 9(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.29333/pr/15155 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29333/pr/15155

Marginson, S. (2014). Student self-formation in international education. Journal of Studies in International Education, 18(1), 6-22. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315313513036 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315313513036

Mitchell, T. D. (2008). Traditional vs. critical service-learning: Engaging the literature to differentiate two models. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 14(2), 50-65. http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.3239521.0014.205

Montgomery, C. (2010). Understanding the international student experience. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-725-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-230-36500-1

O'Dowd, R. (2018). From telecollaboration to virtual exchange: State-of-the-art and the role of UNICollaboration in moving forward. Journal of Virtual Exchange, 1, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.14705/rpnet.2018.jve.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14705/rpnet.2018.jve.1

Oluwatimilehin, I. A., Akerele, J. O., Oladeji, T. A., Omogbehin, M. H., & Atai, G. (2022). Assessment of the impact of climate change on the occurrences of malaria, pneumonia, meningitis, and cholera in Lokoja City, Nigeria. Regional Sustainability, 3(4), 309-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regsus.2022.11.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regsus.2022.11.007

Perera, F. P. (2017). Multiple threats to child health from fossil fuel combustion: Impacts of air pollution and climate change. Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(2), 141-148. DOI: 10.1289/EHP299 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP299

Poe, J. (2022). Advancing global citizenship of underrepresented and hypersegregated US students in higher education through virtual exchange. Journal of International Students, 12(S3), 38-56. DOI:10.32674/jis.v12iS3.4634 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12iS3.4634

PRB. (2022). International data: Nigeria. https://www.prb.org/international/geography/nigeria/

Pryor, S. C., D. Scavia, C. Downer, M. Gaden, L. Iverson, R. Nordstrom, J. Patz, & Robertson, G. P. (2014). Ch. 18: Midwest climate change impacts in the United States: The third national climate assessment. In Melillo, J. M., Richmond, T. C., & Yohe, G. W. (Eds.), U.S. global change research program (pp. 418-440). U.S. Government Printing Office. https://doi.org/10.7930/J0J1012N DOI: https://doi.org/10.7930/J0J1012N

Qin, X. (2024). Collaborative inquiry in action: A case study of lesson study for intercultural education. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 9(1), 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-024-00294-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-024-00294-w

Reid, A., Dillon, J., Ardoin, N., & Ferreira, J. A. (2019). Scientists' warnings and the need to reimagine, recreate, and restore environmental education. Environmental Education Research, 25(6), 789-798. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2019.1633463

Ryan, J., & Viete, R. (2009). Respectful interactions: Learning with international students in the English-speaking academy. Teaching in Higher Education, 14(3), 303-314. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562510902898866 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13562510902898866

Schattle, H. (2008). The practices of global citizenship. Rowman & Littlefield. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5771/9781461645252

Sherwood, D. A., VanDeusen, K. M., Diaconu, M., & McMorrow, S. L. (2024). “Mother nature was not their enemy; it was the people”: Critical reflection on service learning in postdisaster Puerto Rico. The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Global Studies, 19(2), 79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18848/2324-755X/CGP/v19i02/79-102

Shiru, M. S., Shahid, S., Dewan, A., Chung, E. S., Alias, N., Ahmed, K., & Hassan, Q. K. (2020). Projection of meteorological droughts in Nigeria during growing seasons under climate change scenarios. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1-18. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67146-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67146-8

Singh, M. (2009). Using Chinese knowledge in internationalizing research education: Jacques Rancière, an ignorant supervisor and doctoral students from China. Globalization, Societies and Education, 7(2), 185-201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14767720902908034

https://doi.org/10.1080/14767720902908034

Smith, A. (2024). Toward a critical theory of service-learning at Hispanic-Serving Institutions. In Civic Pedagogies: Teaching Civic Engagement in an Era of Divisive Politics (pp. 105-118). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-55155-0_6

Smith, G. (2016). The past, present and future of place-based learning. https://www.gettingsmart.com/2016/11/03/past-present-and-future-of-place-based-learning/

Sobel, D. (2004). Place-based education: Connecting classrooms & communities. Orion Society.

Stapleton, S. R. (2019). A case for climate justice education: American youth connecting to intragenerational climate injustice in Bangladesh. Environmental Education Research, 25(5), 732-750. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2018.1472220 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2018.1472220

Stevenson, R. B. (2007). Schooling and environmental education: Contradictions in purpose and practice. Environmental Education Research, 13(2), 139-153. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620701295726 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620701295726

Trahar, S. (2010). Developing cultural capability in international higher education: A narrative inquiry. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203848616 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203834008

Tran, L. T. (2011). Committed, face‐value, hybrid or mutual adaptation? The experiences of international students in Australian higher education. Educational Review, 63(1), 79-94. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2010.510905 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2010.510905

Udemezue, J. C., & NA, K. (2019). Challenges of Nigerian agricultural sector in the twenty first century: The case of nomadic insurgence and terrorist sects. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, 7(2), 117-124. DOI:10.13189/ujar.2019.070204 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/ujar.2019.070204

Udoh, I. A. (2013). Oil, migration, and the political economy of HIV/AIDS prevention in Nigeria's Niger Delta. International Journal of Health Services, 43(4), 681-697. DOI: 10.2190/HS.43.4.f DOI: https://doi.org/10.2190/HS.43.4.f

Udoh, I. A. (2020). Oil production, environmental pressures and other sources of violent conflict in Nigeria. Review of African Political Economy, 47(164), 199-219. DOI:10.1080/03056244.2018.1549028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03056244.2018.1549028

Udoh, I. A., & Willard, B. (2023). Community-based social marketing: A supplemental approach to improve environmental attitudes and environmental health in Nigeria. Environmental Communication, 17(2), 119-134. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2023.2175005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2023.2175005

UNEP. (2011). Environmental assessment of Ogoniland. http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/OEA/UNEP_OEA.pdf

United Nations Climate Action. (2022). What is climate change? https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change

Urban, E. L., & Palmer, L. B. (2014). International students as a resource for internationalization of higher education. Journal of Studies in International Education, 18(4), 305-324. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315313511642 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315313511642

USEIA. (2019). International energy outlook, 2019. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/ieo/pdf/ieo2019.pdf

USEPA. (2014). Climate change science: Future of climate change.https://climatechange.chicago.gov/climate-change-science/future-climate-change

Wals, A. E. (2007). Social learning toward a sustainable world: Principles, perspectives, and praxis. Wageningen Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-594-9

Weigert, K. M. (1998). Academic service learning: Its meaning and relevance. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 1998(73), 3-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/tl.7301 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tl.7301

Workman, M., Udoh, I., Eyo, I., Anih, P., Obi, E. (2025). Promoting sustainable development through service learning in an international virtual exchange program. In: Tzoumis, K.A., Douvlou, E.D. (eds) Intercultural competence through virtual exchange: Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (pp. 209-225 of chapter 14). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-76418-9_14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-76418-9_14

Zhang, Z., & Kenny, R. F. (2010). Learning in an online distance education course: Experiences of three international students. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 11(1), 17-36. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v11i1.775 DOI: https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v11i1.775

Zwerg-Villegas, Anne Marie, and Jaime Humberto Martínez-Díaz. 2016. “Experiential Learning with Global Virtual Teams: Developing Intercultural and Virtual Competencies.” Magis. RevistaInternacional de Investigación en Educación 9(18): 129–146. https://doi.org/10.11144/Javeriana.m9-18.elgv. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11144/Javeriana.m9-18.elgv

Downloads

Published

2025-06-01

How to Cite

Udoh, I., & Workman, M. (2025). Digital narratives for a changing world: An international virtual learning experience on climate change. Journal of International Students, 15(6), 185-202. https://doi.org/10.32674/gqfxc366