Faculty image | Faculty Name | Department | University/college |
---|---|---|---|
Marianela Rivera, PhD |
Language and Literature |
FGCU/Arts and Sciences |
|
Marta Ramos, EdD |
Language and Literature |
FGCU/Arts and Sciences |
|
Javier R. Arano, MFA |
Language and Literature |
FGCU/Communication & Contemporary Arts |
TITLE: Beyond borders: Navigating cultural differences through storytelling
This COIL project was integrated into a short-term faculty-led study abroad summer program. COIL served as scaffolding to enhance the program’s objectives and foster intercultural communication among participants. The project's primary aim was to facilitate intercultural comparison as participants explored various perspectives and dispelling stereotypes. Participants engaged in diverse tasks including creating introductory videos, crafting audio-visual narratives to address cultural expectations, virtual communication with their partners, and eventually meeting in person to collaborate on the final project. The culmination of their efforts resulted in a joint video, where they identified and depicted cultural disparities or connections between their respective countries through storytelling. Through this multifaceted approach, the COIL project facilitated deep cross-cultural understanding and meaningful collaboration among the participants, reinforcing COIL’s potential to enrich study abroad programs and cultivate globally connected learners.
Resulting Scholarship:
Academic Presentation: Enhancing students’ experience abroad through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Presentation at the Florida Consortium of International Education (FCIE). Orlando, FL. October 2023
Manuscript: Expanding global horizons: Leveraging COIL to enrich student experiences abroad (under review)
Student Learning Outcomes:
The program’s main objective was to spark students' interest in Latin American cultures and encourage meaningful dialogue, thereby enhancing their critical thinking and intercultural communication skills. The COIL project, in alignment with the course objectives, aimed to enhance students' cultural awareness and foster their appreciation for lifelong learning. Trough the COIL project, students were expected to:
- Identify and compare cultural differences and similarities between American and Ecuadorian societies.
- Integrate diverse perspectives on cultural topics of their choice.
- Reflect critically on their own cultural identity.
- Develop partnerships with individuals from other countries.
- Enhance their intercultural communication competence.
Participating Countries: USA and Ecuador
Number of FGCU and Partner Institution Student Participants:
FGCU (9 students)
USFQ Universidad San Francisco de Quito , Quito, Ecuador (5 students)
Discipline: Spanish/ Audiovisual Narratives
FGCU Course Code & Name: SPN 3520 Latin American Civilization and Culture
Project Duration: 6 weeks