COIL z Artevelde University of Applied Sciences

 The collaboration between the Department of International Business and Artevelde University of Applied Sciences in Ghent, Belgium, has been developing for several years. Another great activity took place in the first half of the semester. Third-year students specializing in International Trade (MSG SS1) from the Faculty of Economics participated in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) with first-year IBM students from Artevelde. In small international groups, they worked online as part of the specialized subject "Communication in International Business," which is taught at Artevelde by Dr. Hilde Eeckhout and Dr. Barbara Kobuszewski Volles, and in the International Trade specialization by Prof. Joanna Bednarz and Dr. Monika Grottel.

The project aimed to explore the dimensions of cultural values according to Erin Meyer's book "The Culture Map." Group collaboration was preceded by online integration meetings focusing on team building. Each group then conducted desk and field research (including interviews) on various cultural values and dimensions. The final outcome was the preparation of scientific posters illustrating the observations and conclusions from the jointly conducted research, which were presented during online sessions.

Starting from the next academic year, the COIL method will be a permanent educational element implemented within the curriculum of the International Trade/International Business specialization.

We would like to thank everyone for their involvement and enthusiasm, which contributed to the success of this project.
Joanna Bednarz and Monika Grottel