International Collaboration Through Online Learning Between Students from Peru and India

ABSTRACT

Although in the educational context the virtual exchange practices have become popular since pandemic, there is a need to examine and provide more evidences and lessons learned from this kind of international experiences in order to advance in teaching on line and to train students how to be efficient when working in virtual teams. This paper studies the results of a virtual collaboration among three universities in two different countries (Peru and India). It discusses the methodologies and pedagogies of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and global virtual team (GVT) and presents an instrument that was developed to understand student’s needs and interests in several aspects (work in international teams, acquisition of intercultural knowledge and skills). A survey was applied to 77 students in Peru and India. The results showed the development of students’ communication and collaboration skills as well as cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Despite the challenges that appeared during the project such as time difference, schedule, language barriers and engagement of some team members, students appreciated the opportunity to engage with peers from another country and to learn more about their culture. The COIL methodology, in contrast to GVT method, offers students more holistic and transformative learning experience supported and guided by lecturers. Trained faculty and awareness of COIL pedagogy characteristics and its implications are critical to a student’s success.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaborative online international learning
• capacity building
• intercultural awareness
• Peru
• India

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author [SM], upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sabina Mlodzianowska

Sabina Mlodzianowska, Associate Professor at the International Business Program at the Faculty of Business and Economics, Universidad de Lima, Peru. Previously, a Director of the Graduate School at Universidad de Lima, a Director of the Master’s Program in Operations and Project Management at Universidad de Lima; a Research Associate and Manager at Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University and at the Canadian International Resources and Development Institute (CIRDI); a Director of Programs (Enterprise Administration, Administration and Marketing, and Hospitality and Tourism Administration) at Technological University of Peru. Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Gdansk (Poland), a Master of Business Administration (Executive MBA) from Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University (Canada), and a Master in Economics from the University of Gdansk (Poland). She is a member of Academy of International Business (AIB) and a Regional Ambassador of the Operations & Supply Chain Management (OSCM) Division of the Academy of Management (AOM) to Latin/South America. She is a founder member of Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management research group and Global Business Research Group at Universidad de Lima. Her research interests relate to cross-cultural management, entrepreneurship, foreign direct investment, sustainable development, supply chain and extractive industry

Mariella Olivos Rossini

Mariella Olivos Rossini, Received her Ph.D. in Information Management at Tilburg University in The Netherlands, an MBA from University du Quebec at Montreal, Canada, a master’s degree in Economics from UNALM in Peru, and is Economist from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). Currently is the Director of International Affairs for the Undergraduate Programs at Universidad ESAN (Lima, Peru). She is Associate Professor at the School of Economics and Management and Executive Coordinator of CLADEA (Latin American Council of Management Schools). Founder member and former national coordinator of REDIPERU, (2019–2020) the Network for the internationalization of Peruvian universities. Member of the Board of NIBES (Network of International Business Schools) and in the Board of the GPE (Global Partners in Education), secretariat at East Carolina University in the USA. Is visiting professor at ISCTE BS in Lisbon Portugal, Krakow University of Economics in Poland Audiencia BS in France, Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom. Has participated as Co-Chair or Track Chair in several International Conferences: BALAS, GBSN, Iberoamerican Academy of Management, CLADEA. Currently is Coordinator in CYTED Project on Social Entrepreneurship and gender. Her research interest and publications focus on the field of Internationalization of Higher Education, virtual teams, cross-cultural studies, COIL (Collaborative on line learning) and Entrepreneurship.

Parikshat Singh Manhas

Parikshat Singh Manhas, Parikshat Singh Manhas is Chairman, Jammu & Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and Director, State Council of Educational Research & Training – JKUT (SCERT) He is a Professor in The Business School, University of Jammu and has been Rector, Udhampur Campus, University of Jammu and also Director, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Jammu. He has also been Coordinator, of Global Understanding Course at University of Jammu being run in collaboration with East Carolina University, USA and Coordinator, UGC – Innovative Programme. He was also CEO & Promoter Director, University of Jammu Special Purpose Vehicle Foundation – A Section 8 Company and Director, University Business Incubation and Innovation Centre, University of Jammu. Earlier he was also Coordinator, National Innovation and Start Up Policy and President, Institution Innovation Council, University of Jammu – A Innovation Cell, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India Initiative. He was also Dean, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, India and Member, Task Force for Implementation of National Education Policy 2020, Government of Jammu & Kashmir. Prof. Parikshat earned his PhD in Brand Positioning Strategies from University of Jammu. He did his MBA from University of Jammu, India and Master’s in Tourism Management from IGNOU, New Delhi. His research interests are Tourism, Recreation, and Hospitality Management, Education and Marketing, Sustainable and Responsible Tourism, Brand Management, Post Conflict Tourism and Peace Building Strategies (Revival Tourism), Film Induced Tourism and Destination Marketing.