A pre-mobility approach: investigating the role of virtual exchange in study abroad preparation

Research on Study Abroad (SA) has expanded over the past decades, with an increasing emphasis on students’ experiences and a critical examination of their learning outcomes. Scholars recommend that preparatory interventions be incorporated into mobility programmes and Virtual Exchange (VE) has emerged as a suitable approach. The present study illustrates the value of VE as a pre-mobility tool. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study examines the relationship between VE and 90 undergraduate students’ preparation to SA. The findings reveal the significant impact that pre-mobility VE can have on students’ language confidence, critical thinking, adaptability skills, and overall preparedness, among other aspects.