Students in two Alfred State business courses taught by Dr. Tamanna Kabir collaborated with international peers in Brazil and Mexico this semester. The projects were part of SUNY COIL initiative.
“The true value of COIL is turning a regular classroom into a global space where textbook concepts become lived experiences,” commented Kabir. “These projects challenged students to step outside their comfort zones and navigate the realities of working across cultures and borders. It was incredibly rewarding to watch students grow more confident in their communication as well as in their problem-solving, teamwork, and professional skill development.”
Kabir’s International Business Class (thirty seniors) partnered with an Ergonomics class (twenty second-year students) taught by Yasmin Silva Martins Xavier at Sao Paulo State University (Guaratingueta, São Paulo, Brazil) on a project that examined and analyzed organizational practices and working conditions in small businesses in New York and São Paulo.
The students broke up into groups that examined a business in the same sector (health services, supermarket, retail/variety store, fast-food or quick service restaurant, or automotive services). They conducted a short interview with someone in the chosen industry, shared their findings, compared the organizational practices, and prepared a short comparative analysis during the seven-week project.
Students in Business Communications partnered with a class taught by Dr. Maria D. Lopez González from the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico). The project explored cultural differences and similarities in professional settings, with students examining how cultural values shape organizational practices and professional etiquette in both countries.
The students formed groups and explored a topic related to business communications including communication and interaction styles, time and relationship management and negotiation styles, workplace culture and hierarchy, business etiquette and professionalism, cultural awareness, business ethics and social responsibility, and decision-making and conflict resolution. They did research on their assigned topics, shared their findings, compared professional communication based on their respective contexts, and prepared an analysis of their findings.
“Dr. Kabir’s COIL projects are a wonderful example of authentic, globally engaged learning in action,” said Deepa Deshpande, Associate Director, CITE, and SUNY COIL Coordinator for Alfred State. “Through meaningful collaboration with peers in Brazil and Mexico, students strengthened their intercultural communication, broadened their perspectives, one of Alfred State’s strategic pillars, and professional skills. It has been a pleasure to support Dr. Kabir’s COIL journey and to see the impact of this work on students across multiple cohorts.”
Kabir concluded, “A sincere thank you to all students, faculty partners, and collaborators who made these projects possible. Your openness, effort, and willingness to engage across cultures created a truly meaningful learning experience."
The SUNY COIL Center promotes and professionalizes the practice of Collaborative Online International Learning and Virtual Exchange, offering services to higher education institutions around the world. Connect with our global community of practice, the SUNY COIL Global Network, for information and ideas, professional support, partner matching, and resource sharing!