Amidst ongoing conversations about the future of international education, AFS Wales contributed to a vital dialogue at the HEURO Global “Managing Mobility Conference 2025.” Hosted at Cardiff Metropolitan University between August 12 and 13, 2025, the event brought together professionals from across the UK higher education sector to explore best practices and share insights on enhancing international student experiences.
Driving strategic conversations on Intercultural Learning
Representing AFS Wales, Global Up Project Officer Joanna Steiner engaged with delegates throughout the conference, fostering a collaborative exchange of ideas. In a dedicated session, she offered an overview of the AFS Global Up program and the Global Competence Certificate (GCC), a comprehensive blended education program designed to deepen the impact of international experiences.
Beyond the presentation, Joanna interacted with delegates at a dedicated AFS booth. This provided a hub for meaningful, one-on-one conversations, providing a space to connect with leaders, learn more about their specific contexts, and explore how Global Up can directly address their global competence development needs.
The topics on focus were clear: from specific internationalization goals to the challenges universities face in preparing students for a globalized world. These conversations highlighted a shared interest in finding scalable, high-impact solutions for intercultural training that can support diverse students.
“It was brilliant to move beyond general chats to discussing potential partnerships with many university representatives. We had the opportunity to discuss the details of their specific needs, from integrating our curriculum to existing programs to tailoring Global Up for new learners.”
Joanna Steiner, AFS Wales
A structured framework to develop essential global skills
Today, it is widely recognized that international experiences alone do not guarantee the development of global competencies. AFS Global Up provides a structured educational framework to help students translate their lived experience into transferable skills.
The program presents a suite of tools and frameworks that supports learners at every stage of their journey—before, during, and after an international placement, or even for those learning within their home communities.
The core curriculum, the Global Competence Certificate (GCC), guides learners through a developmental process. Through a blend of self-paced modules, facilitated dialogue, and peer-to-peer forums, students reflect on their own perspectives and learn to:
- Build self-awareness
- Develop empathy for others and navigate ambiguity
- Manage their emotional responses in unfamiliar contexts.
- Build bridges across difference
Based on over 70 years of AFS experience and validated by independent research, the program uses a blend of self-paced online modules, peer-to-peer discussion forums, and expert-led facilitated dialogue sessions to create a powerful learning environment.
Enhancing mobility and employability for students of UK Universities
For UK universities, programs like Global Up offer a valuable resource for achieving key institutional goals. By providing structured learning and guided reflection, it helps ensure that mobility programs deliver on their promise of fostering genuine global competence, thereby enriching the overall student experience and better preparing graduates for their future careers.
The significant interest from leads of several universities at the HEURO Global conference underscores a sector-wide commitment to innovation in global education. AFS Wales looks forward to continuing these important conversations and partnering with institutions to help cultivate the next generation of reflective, engaged, and effective Active Global Citizens.
AFS Wales would also like to thank HEURO Global and all its member institutions, and particularly Conference Host Rowena Kidger of Cardiff Metropolitan University for the kind invitation and for facilitating our participation in such an important event.
UK-based institutions interested in continuing this dialogue and exploring how Global Up and the GCC can support their students are welcome to contact Joanna Steiner at [email protected]
About Global Up
The AFS Global Up programs are a series of award-winning digital education programs that have supported over 40,000 learners worldwide. With versions tailored for students, educators, and professionals, Global Up is a key tool for organizations committed to fostering global competence. To learn more or request a demo, please visit globalup.com.
About AFS
AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. To learn more visit afs.org