As part of its strategy of opening up to the world and its commitment to innovative teaching methods, UniLaSalle Beauvais has been collaborating internationally with De La Salle University in the Philippines for the past five years, through the COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) approach. This program, orchestrated by Marie Chédru, associate professor in the HuMaN department, and Shieradel Jimenez, associate professor in the Management and Organization department, enables students from both countries to work together on cross-cultural online projects, promoting collaborative learning and the development of global skills.

Structured online collaborative learning

Each year, the COIL program offers a six-week experience during which students from UniLaSalle and De La Salle University are grouped into mixed teams (5 to 6 students) and work together on a group project based on intercultural discovery. The program is built around a series of activities and teaching methods designed to enhance participants' open-mindedness, adaptability and intercultural communication skills:

• Icebreakers and integration: Each student shares a visual overview of his or her cultural identity via a Padlet, creating a space for presentation and discovery of others.
• Cross-cultural comparison of leadership: Students, in pairs, conduct a comparative analysis of leadership qualities from their cultural perspectives, highlighting differences and similarities in values and practices.
• Collaborative leadership project: Each team conducts interviews with local leaders and co-writes an article, reinforcing research and collaborative writing skills.
• Reflections and experience sharing: exchanges between students from each culture enable them to look back on what they have learned from the experience, discuss cultural differences and complementarities, and measure the personal impact of this learning.

Golden rules for successful intercultural collaboration

The success of the COIL program is based on fundamental principles that help students get the most out of the experience:

• Favoring human experience over academic content: Encouraging authentic exchanges rather than focusing solely on theoretical content.
• Simplicity and flexibility: Lighten the load to ensure that participants can balance their academic commitments with this intercultural experience.
• Constant communication and active listening: Maintain weekly exchanges to support group work and strengthen bonds.
• Encourage initiative: Each student is encouraged to ask for help, express doubts and actively participate in activities.

A transformative educational impact

Student testimonials demonstrate the impact of this program, which goes beyond academic learning to enrich their worldview and understanding of cultural differences. Many have expressed their awareness of the importance of open-mindedness, tolerance and intercultural communication in teamwork and project management. They also retain a better appreciation of the values and leadership practices specific to both countries.

The COIL program is a perfect illustration of UniLaSalle's mission: to train responsible leaders capable of meeting global challenges, with a solid intercultural awareness and a willingness to embrace pedagogical innovations. By continuing to focus on international partnerships and modern learning methods, UniLaSalle is reinforcing its role as a forerunner in the education of global citizens.