Enhancing Intercultural Understanding Through Collaborative Online International Learning: An Analysis of Benefits, Challenges and Insights

Abstract

This study explores the effectiveness of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in developing intercultural understanding among university students. A 2-year COIL project, ‘Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Across Contexts’, was implemented between universities in Catalonia (Spain) and Poland, involving 49 students from Special Education and Inclusive Education programmes. Using a humanising methodology, this qualitative study collected data through initial interviews, narrative reflections and focus groups. Findings highlight the benefits of COIL, including enhanced intercultural awareness, positive impact on learners’ self-perceived communication competence and empathy. However, challenges such as language anxiety, task design limitations and resistance to new methodologies among students were also identified. The study contributes to the research on COIL with a focus on students’ perspectives, underscoring the potential of COIL to foster intercultural understanding and inclusivity in higher education.