What is it about?
Online student exchanges between countries aren't always fair. This paper shows how "Critical Virtual Exchange" can make global learning more inclusive by using accessible technology, including underrepresented students, and prioritising social justice.
Why is it important?
Unlike most research in this field, this paper features exchanges entirely within the Global South—between Brazil, Angola, and Mexico—challenging the assumption that international learning must flow from North to South. As universities worldwide seek to internationalise curricula without costly physical mobility, and as calls for decolonising education grow louder, this work offers practical, values-driven alternatives. By providing concrete examples and a clear framework, this paper equips educators to design exchanges that amplify marginalised voices, bridge digital divides, and connect student learning to real-world challenges like climate and indigenous rights. It moves virtual exchange from a convenient alternative to physical mobility toward a tool for educational equity and social change.