Across three cohorts, we have watched as 835 students transformed from strangers into thought partners, tackling real-world problems with creativity and resilience. As the Spring 2026 cohort finishes, we are celebrating the conclusion of a journey that has empowered youth to think critically, collaborate deeply, and see themselves as global changemakers.
For educators, the program highlighted the transformative learning experience of virtual exchange. As one educator noted, “This program generated more questions than a lesson would have [and] about a greater number of topics. Once students got over their initial shyness, the interactions were genuine, and they wanted to learn about each other on a deeper level.”
Educators who participated in multiple cohorts have seen firsthand how consistent exposure to these practices shapes student growth. One educator from Lebanon shared, “Students who are usually quiet in class became active participants when interacting with their international peers. They took ownership of their learning and showed genuine pride in their work.”
The program also empowered students to grow into capable problem solvers. Reflecting on this transformation, one teacher noted, “[Building Global Apps] was a great opportunity for my students to follow the design thinking process and become problem solvers on a level they had never experienced.”
For students, the most meaningful moments from their participation were the direct interactions with students from a different country. One student reflected, “What I liked most was the opportunity to collaborate with students from different cultural backgrounds while working on real-world problems. The program encouraged meaningful cross-cultural dialogue, teamwork, and creative problem-solving, and it was especially rewarding to see how different perspectives shaped the app ideas.”
The autonomy students were given throughout the program was also a major highlight of the experience. One student shared, “I liked having creative freedom and the freedom to develop innovative solutions. I also had the freedom to design whatever I could for the brand of the app.”
Beyond individual creativity, students also highlighted the value of real-world experiences in their learning. As one student expressed, “What I liked most about Building Global Apps was getting to actually build something real. Instead of just learning concepts, we got to apply them and see our apps come to life.”
As we look back on the experience, the biggest impact is defined by the connections that were forged across thousands of miles. For many U.S. classes, news about the ongoing conflict in Lebanon was felt deeply, as students were worried about their peers.
Students discovered that while their communities might be worlds apart, the problems they face are often shared. They learned that the same challenge can be perceived, framed, and solved in entirely different ways depending on the cultural context. One student from Lebanon shared, “I didn’t think people so far away would think like us.”
While the program has come to a close, we hope that the awareness and understanding it inspired extend far beyond its final session.
Building Global Apps is implemented by Digital Promise and is supported by the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI). JCSVEI is a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute.
