"Teamwork isn’t just about completing tasks, it’s also about supporting each other": Media and business students share expertise in two related COIL projects
COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects aren’t a field trip or a semester abroad. They represent global education for the now: accessible, scalable, and deeply human.
In SPARK 14, faculty and learners from 8 COIL projects share their experiences and show how COIL is one of the most quietly transformative forms of education at Humber Polytechnic.
Danish Marketing Management from Business Academy Aarhus students along with the Humber students participated in a COIL to learn and work together, building their skills in digital fluency, intercultural communications and collaboration. The students, working in groups, took on the role of a professional marketing agency tasked with developing comprehensive media campaigns for a Danish company’s plant-based cheese, as well as a tourism campaign for the city of Aarhus, Denmark.
Faculty leads Cathy Bidini, MA, and Jennie Grimard, MDES, Faculty of Media, Creative, Arts, & Design shared their perspectives on the project.
What motivated you to engage in an international collaboration for this project? How does this align with Humber’s vision of Reimagining Learning?
Cathy Bidini: My motivation for engaging in international collaboration stems from a commitment to expanding learning beyond traditional boundaries and fostering diverse perspectives for learners. By working with our international partners, we provided students with hands-on opportunities to apply their skills in a global context, fostering adaptability and cross-cultural communication, which are essential skills for today’s media industry. This global experience aligns with Humber Polytechnic’s vision of Reimagining Learning by integrating real-world, experiential learning opportunities, preparing students for a fast-changing creative industry.
In what ways did this experience help students develop future-ready skills for the workforce?
Jennie Grimard: Taking students out of their comfort zone, both personally and academically, helped them further develop their soft skills, which are critical for creative professionals. Being away from home with a group of people that you only know in one context really has students exercise their self-advocacy skills to tactfully express their needs to the group while compromising and being patient with others. As a creative professional, managing yourself and others in a dynamic group setting under pressure is a very desirable skill to potential employers.
Can you share a breakthrough moment where students from different backgrounds worked together in a way that surprised you?
Jennie: One that comes to mind is how our students bonded and worked so well together. Our group consisted of students from both our Lakeshore and North campus cohorts. Some of the students on the trip had never met each other before this experience, despite all being Media Communication students. As the teams worked on their project or their assigned media team shifts, I was so pleased to see them sharing knowledge and supporting each other, even though they were from different cohorts. Rather than sticking with familiar faces, the students really embraced getting to know each other.
What were some of the most significant cultural or logistical challenges your students faced? How did they collaborate and problem-solve to overcome them?
Jennie: I would say the differences in academic expectations between Humber and the BAA. Our students are accustomed to very detailed assignment sheets with very clear deliverables and well-defined expectations. Ambiguity and autonomy in managing the deliverables of their projects are not something our students are experienced with; however, the BAA students typically work in this manner. The Danish students would typically be given broad parameters, and then they would ask questions and explore the problem to forge their own understanding of the project. While our students were a bit frustrated at first, the project teams started brainstorming, building their own structure for the project and defining parameters for themselves before meeting with the Danish students. Once they started working at the BAA, our students presented their comprehensive plans while still being adaptable and open-minded to incorporate the input of their Danish teammates.
The Building Brilliance (BB) vision emphasizes Deeper Partnerships. How has this project strengthened Humber’s ties with international institutions?
Cathy: This project began as a COIL initiative, bringing together students from the Business Academy Aarhus (BAA) Business Marketing program and students from Humber’s Media Communications program with an initial online meeting to discuss a media campaign project ahead of the BAA students’ visit to Toronto in Fall 2024. During their time in Toronto, students met their Danish teammates in person for the first time. They collaborated on a media project that promoted a vegan cheese product for a Danish company, Falengreen. The connections built during that visit set the stage for an even stronger collaboration when, 5 months later, our students travelled to Denmark to work with the same Danish teammates on a different media project. The success of this partnership was recognized and celebrated by both faculty and administration at the BAA and Humber. Building on this success, plans are underway for our next academic trip to Denmark in October 2025. This second visit will further strengthen our academic partnership while providing the next cohort of media students with this valuable experience.
Did you notice any shifts in students’ confidence, adaptability, or leadership skills as they navigated this cross-border experience?
Cathy: Absolutely! Students showcased confidence, adaptability, and leadership as they immersed themselves in the culture, embracing new foods, architecture, history, and design. With open minds, they formed friendships beyond the classroom, strengthening their connections through shared experiences. I witnessed students supporting one another and overcoming challenges together while looking out for each other every step of the way.
If you had to make a case for why global collaborations should be a core part of higher education, what would it be?
Cathy: These types of global experiences provide invaluable opportunities for students to develop adaptability and resiliency with a global lens. Experiences that take students beyond their comfort zones and immerse them in different cultures, perspectives and different ways of thinking foster a deeper understanding of the world. This kind of learning not only enhances their academic and professional skills but also shapes them into more informed, open-minded and creative-thinking global citizens.
Looking ahead, how can international projects like this shape the future of interdisciplinary learning and global workforce development?
Cathy: Our global academic collaboration with the BAA is a strong example of interdisciplinary learning, where students from both institutions gain valuable insights from each other’s areas of study. Media Communications students had the opportunity to learn business marketing strategies and international perspectives from their BAA teammates. The BAA students developed knowledge in creating digital assets and creative content in designing effective media campaigns. This exchange of knowledge enriched the academic and professional growth of all participants. Students gained a competitive edge and learned to navigate diverse perspectives and industry trends on a global scale.
Student Perspectives
Media Communications students share the highlights from their trip to Denmark and key takeaways from the experience.
What was your biggest “aha!” moment during this collaboration?
John: One moment that still amazes me to this day is realizing how, despite all the cultural differences between us and the Danish students, we all have our own ways of finding joy in every situation. Experiencing their concept of “hygge” was my biggest “aha!” moment during the trip. The way they embrace simplicity, see the bigger picture, and always find something good in every situation really struck me. No wonder Denmark is considered the happiest place in the world!
Natalia: The Danish students were kind and willing to help, and they guided us around their city to gather content. Even with limited time, we worked together efficiently to complete the campaign. This showed me that teamwork isn’t just about completing tasks—it’s also about supporting each other and enjoying the process.
Maria: Without a doubt, my “aha” moment was when we explored the city with our Danish companions. Since it was a tourism campaign, it allowed us to experience the local side and get a glimpse of what it’s like to live as a Dane in a city where tourists are hardly seen at this time of year. Having coffee by the river in Aarhus feels different when a local is offering it to you.
How did working with international peers push you out of your comfort zone—academically or personally?
Clarissa: Meeting deadlines while balancing different working styles was a challenge, especially when our team had varying expectations for what “done” looked like. I had to learn when to compromise and when to push forward to keep us on track.
Sakura: Participating in a time-limited collaboration with peers I had just met in a completely new country truly expanded my perspective. I had to quickly adapt to a new environment while working on a fast-paced project with people from different academic and cultural backgrounds. Fortunately, my Danish group members were incredibly supportive.
Time zones, cultural differences, and virtual teamwork—how did you and your team make it work?
King: We did this mainly by having good conversations and breaking the ice. I believe tearing down the wall and connecting more personally helped us rub our minds together.
Micaela: Due to time constraints, our collaboration with our Danish teammates was primarily limited to our time in Denmark. However, we bridged the distance through consistent online communication and a shared commitment to a positive and collaborative attitude.
If you could take one skill from this experience into your future career, what would it be and why?
Michelle: During this experience, I felt heard and welcomed. I contributed ideas to the project, and in the end, not only was my project selected, but others also added suggestions to help us improve. What I took away from this academic collaboration was the understanding that my ideas are valuable and worth sharing, and the importance of being open to new perspectives.
Gia: Before I went to Denmark, talking to new people was a big deal for me. I often felt nervous in conversations with those I didn’t know well, which held me back from networking. However, the trip showed me that stepping out of my comfort zone and engaging with others wasn’t that scary; it could also be rewarding and empowering. I’m so glad that I joined the trip at the last minute.
Wesley: One skill I’ve gained through this experience is building my awareness of individual communication styles. Let’s call it ‘middle-ground communication’. As someone who primarily works with the same people on creative projects, it was eye-opening to further my understanding of how others work and communicate. This is essential to keep in mind when it comes to my professional career.
What would you say to another student considering a COIL or international learning experience?
Sebastian: I would tell them to prepare psychologically, emotionally, and physically. You will walk a lot. Enjoy the memories and encounters you have with each person on the trip because that creates memories for life and friendships that can last for years.
Zinalben: I would absolutely encourage any student to take part in a COIL or international learning experience! It’s an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, work with diverse perspectives, and develop real-world skills that go beyond the classroom. This experience challenged me to be more confident in my ideas, communicate effectively, and adapt to different working styles—all essential for any career. If you’re considering it, go for it—you’ll grow in ways you never expected!