Collaborative Online International Learning Offers Real-World Student Experience

February 2, 2022 - Anna Dykeman

Antonio HumphreysAnderson Adjunct Professor of Marketing Antonio Humphreys and Professor Olinda Ornelas Benitez of the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, Centro Universitario Parral recently collaborated to design and conduct a Marketing Strategy course focused on small business development and international experiential learnings.

The course was guided by the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) methodology. COIL collaborations between students and professors provide meaningful opportunities for global experiences built into programs of study that link universities in different countries – in this case, the United States and Mexico. COIL enhances intercultural student interaction through proven approaches to meaningful online engagement, while providing universities a cost-effective way to ensure that their students are globally engaged.

Implemented through the UNM Global Education Office, the program is sponsored by the U.S. and Mexican Embassies, AMPEI (Mexican Association for International Education), and other entities working to promote international education between both countries.

Students from both universities were grouped into working cohorts to 1) assess future work skills in a global environment and 2) create marketing plans and advertising campaigns for actual small businesses in both Parral and Albuquerque. The experience allowed students to become familiar with the realities of cultural nuances and segmentation with international businesses and consumers and strengthened their virtual collaboration and social skills and sharpened their ability to develop marketing strategies to support local business growth in their communities.