“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This African Proverb embodies the gist of the Intercultural Global Hybrid Model (IGHM). The IGHM unites different populations through a focus on global and intercultural competence, as well as international experience.

Originating as a traditional study abroad program within an online course, Global Identity, (which won a national award in 2019) at a regional university in Alabama that promotes international opportunities, the IGHM has expanded to include students from high school, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels as well as faculty, staff, and administrators from a rural public school district and higher education institutions in two countries.

Additionally, it provides a means by which participating professionals can expand the intercultural learning possibilities for their students. Service learning is another component that is increasing in importance. Other applications of this model included developing and conducting a two-day international conference in Costa Rica in 2024, Sustainability in a Global Environment, in conjunction with a doctoral practicum and an international learning experience for high school students in a Chamber of Commerce sponsored leadership program in 2025.

Currently, we are planning an iteration for 2026 that provides international experiential learning in journalism and the production of a documentary and involves collaborations among educational institutions and a non-profit organization.

Our presentation describes this model, including its development and discoveries through previous versions, the data demonstrating educators’ measurable outcomes, and our recent experience with the higher education-community partnership model. We will conclude with a discussion of future plans that demonstrate the potential we can achieve when we work together.

Keywords: Global identity, study abroad, higher education, community partnerships, intercultural competence.