SU International's Global Education Centre (GEC) has piloted a new Stellenbosch University (SU) short course, Study Abroad for Global Learning (SAGL). The semester course, which commenced in January 2021, seeks to support students' global and intercultural learning while studying abroad on either in-person or virtual mobility opportunities.

 The first intake of 29 participants from 17 partner institutions represent diverse subject areas and study levels, including epidemiology and theology at PhD level, economics, geology and sociology at master's level, and law and engineering at bachelor's level. And while COVID-19 has resulted in a smaller group, it has proven the ideal size for the pilot.

 Covering topics such as global citizenship, sustainable development and intercultural communication, the course forms part of a new series of initiatives at the GEC to provide SU students with a transformative student experience. Topics are released on the online learning management system every two to three weeks, and students watch most sessions at their own pace. Through specially designed prompts and journaling activities, they are encouraged to relate their experiences in their host countries to the concepts and content the facilitators provided in the preceding weeks. The course culminates in a final project, which requires students to script and produce a 'digital story' that describes their learning experience in an interactive way. The digital stories will also be used to advertise various countries and SU partner institutions to prospective students.

 The innovative course was developed by GEC staff. After several rounds of collaborative design and internal review, mock presentations were hosted and feedback was received from other SU departments and partner institutions. Six GEC members are facilitating components of the short course, while other collaborative online international learning (COIL) opportunities and short course collaborations have also emerged from the process.

 Although the pilot is yet to conclude, it is clear from many of the student journals that the experience has helped encourage critical reflection, which is vital for creating global citizens who are able to thrive in the 21^st century.