Internationalization of project-based learning

Abstract

The paper discusses various multi-disciplinary projects that were executed by bicultural teams of Japanese and Indian students as a part of a three-year Indo-Japanese program administered by a Japanese university and an Indian engineering college. Each year, the Japanese university selected a few students, who self-financed their travel and a weeklong stay in India, and participated in the program. Based on the background and profile of participating Japanese students, the Japanese and Indian program directors identified projects, and the Indian program director selected appropriate Indian students. In the first year, the teams executed an Indian cultural portal and water rocket projects; in the second year, it was an augmented reality project, and in the third year, a health robot project. Typically, in December, the program directors identified projects. In January and February, students worked on their projects by interacting with their counterparts from the other country over the Skype. In late Feb and early March, the Japanese students visited India for a week and along with the Indian students completed their projects. The paper discusses experience of the Japanese students. They maintained a journal during the India trip and filled in a feedback form indicating their satisfaction with the program using the net promoter concept, expectations and learning from the program, and suggestions for future program iterations. All three batches liked the program immensely. They felt that they could work on exciting technical projects and learn Indian culture. They always felt that they should have had more preparation time, especially to understand Indian culture and indicated their eagerness to have deeper experiences. The paper describes the program iterations in detail and analyzes feedback of the Japanese students, which could help fellow colleagues in designing and executing similar programs.