The Middle East is a foreign, unknown, and often scary “Other” for students in my international politics courses at a regional comprehensive university in the southern USA. Over the years I have experimented with virtual exchange as one way of encouraging students to learn the humanity and diversity of students in the Middle East. In this panel, I share several ways that I have used virtual exchange, as well as the opportunities and limitations posed by the different avenues. Three way that I will share here include 1) a build your own adventure approach of connecting with others in the region through existing contacts and networks; 2) working with established international programs like Soliya’s dialogue program, and 3) building sustained partnerships with other universities in the region. After discussing the differing structures of the three different types of virtual exchange mentioned, I overview the opportunities for engagement and learning available for students through each.