Tamanna Kabir
SUNY Alfred State College, United States
I incorporate Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) into my teaching to advance global engagement in business education. I have partnered with institutions in Brazil and Mexico to design joint, project-based experiences that connect students across academic and cultural contexts. My work centers on experiential learning, applied problem-solving, and the use of digital tools to support international collaboration. I design structured activities, including team building, discussions, and research tasks, to help students navigate cultural differences while achieving academic goals. By facilitating both synchronous and asynchronous interactions, I support students in developing strong intercultural communication skills. Through COIL, I aim to build inclusive learning environments that strengthen their understanding of diverse business practices and prepare them for success in global professional settings.
“Through collaboration across cultures, students don’t just learn—they transform how they see the world.”
Project #1 Information
Project Name: Cross-Cultural Business Communication
Partner: Dr. Maria Lopez, Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico)
Project Length: 5 weeks
Modality: Synchronous
Technology Tools Utilized: Teams, Google Docs, Padlet, Social Media
Project Summary:
This COIL Project is designed to help students develop cross-cultural communication skills and gain insights into workplace cultures in the United States, and Mexico. Working in mixed international teams, students from Alfred State College in the U.S.A. and Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas in Mexico will explore cultural differences and similarities in professional settings and examine how cultural values shape organizational practices and professional etiquette in both countries. At the end of the project, students will do a group presentation and submit a formal report to summarize their findings.
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate effective cross-cultural communication and networking skills in a professional, international context.
- Identify, compare, and analyze key workplace cultural norms and values in Mexico and the United States, and explain their impact on business communication and workplace dynamics.
Project #2 Information
Project Name: Workplace Practices and Working Conditions in an International Context
Partner: Dr. Yasmin Silva Martins Xavier, Sao Paulo State University (Brazil)
Project Length: 7 weeks
Modality: Asynchronous
Technology Tools Utilized: Teamss, Google Docs, Padlet, WhatsApp, Social Media
Project Summary:
This COIL project aims to examine how organizational practices influence working conditions across national and cultural contexts through international interdisciplinary collaboration between International Business and Ergonomics students. Students will work in mixed international teams (approximately 10 groups) to analyze organizational practices and working conditions in small businesses in New York and São Paulo.
Learning Outcomes:
- Intercultural communication and collaborative decision-making in diverse teams.
- Professional interaction with external organizations, and collaborative problem-solving in real-world contexts.