Global Experience

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Program – UMBC x Brazil

The COIL program is a virtual international exchange that connects students at UMBC with students at partner institutions in Brazil. For the April 2025 cohort, we met weekly over four weeks to discuss climate advocacy and sustainability in preparation for a simulation aligned with the COP30 global climate conference, which Brazil will host.

My group focused on creating a climate policy proposal that considered both environmental impact and international equity. Through this process, I collaborated closely with Brazilian students from different academic and cultural backgrounds. We explored each other’s perspectives on global responsibility and the role of policy in creating long-term change. In addition to our scheduled meetings, we worked asynchronously to draft and revise our proposals, which taught me how to manage deadlines across time zones and remain flexible with virtual communication.

GCSP Reflection

Participating in the COIL program helped me meet the four Global Perspectives learning objectives. I developed skills in working with diverse teams by co-leading breakout discussions and negotiating roles based on strengths and interests. The program deepened my sense of global citizenship by connecting me to the broader implications of climate policy and its impact on countries with differing levels of infrastructure and risk. Through these interactions, I also gained cultural awareness, learning how communication styles and priorities can vary based on national and personal contexts. Finally, I strengthened my openness to difference by listening actively and engaging non-judgmentally with views that challenged my own assumptions.

Although the program focused on climate issues, the international digital setting brought attention to the importance of cybersecurity and safe digital infrastructure—themes directly related to my chosen Grand Challenge of Securing Cyberspace. Collaborating online across countries reinforced how essential secure and accessible communication tools are to meaningful global problem-solving.

Program-Wide Objectives

Integrity: I approached each conversation with honesty and respect, even when perspectives differed. I held myself accountable to the group’s goals and honored each participant's input.
Perspectivism: Exposure to Brazilian approaches to advocacy and sustainability helped me expand the way I think about global priorities and how technology plays a role in addressing them.
Realistic Vision: Working on a practical climate proposal helped me balance idealism with action—what we wish could happen vs. what can happen under global constraints.
Teamwork: The project required collaboration with students across cultures, schedules, and communication platforms. I learned how to build trust quickly in a team.
Persistence & Flexibility: Scheduling across time zones and navigating online platforms came with challenges. I learned to adapt and stay consistent in participation and contributions.

Time Commitment

• Weekly Commitment: ~4–5 hours

• Total Hours: ~16–20 hours

• Duration: April 1 – April 30, 2025