One way is for participating institutions, as an aspect of their international programs, to identify thematically-based courses or curricula tied to outstanding global issues. Each college or university, whether in the U.S. or abroad, could define its own interests and thematic emphases. Other methods and emphases should be explored. What is important is the thematic coherence of the project and its presence in the classroom. As pioneered in Bard's PIE program, this approach is a key element in establishing the program's intellectual presence on campus.
Thematic coherence can also be an effective spur to debate and discussion on campus.
Visiting speaker series, conferences, and other forms of public discourse help to promote discussion and increase awareness of the project college-wide. The potential for institutional change and enrichment is perhaps the greatest potential benefit of the vision of international education that is articulated here. Courses of study can be coordinated, leading to a more coherent experience for students on both sides. The regular exchange of faculty will encourage new scholarly perspectives and awareness of other cultural and pedagogical practices. For participants from emerging democracies, the exposure to liberal arts teaching in the U.S. may also awaken an interest in the benefits of seminar-style teaching, small classes, etc., at their home institutions.