As part of the first Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) for Staff in the United States, the UF cohort visited their counterparts at CEU Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia, Spain. Under the leadership of Paloma Rodriguez (UF), Merche Gimeno Rico (CEU), Sandra J. Valencia (Universidad Católica de Manizales), and Juan Ignacio Roca Knowles (CEU), the UF delegation was invited to share their experiences at the COIL for Staff, BIP, and Beyond conference.
The event brought together about 70 participants and staff from several universities, representing international education colleagues from Germany, Latvia, Romania, Colombia, Portugal, Ukraine, Austria, Croatia, Lithuania, Cyprus, The Netherlands, Italy, Israel, Estonia, France, Spain and the United States.
Participants were exposed to ideas for exploring new ways of collaboration and virtual exchange.
Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a virtual exchange or telecollaboration type, where faculty in any discipline use online technology to facilitate sustained student collaboration to increase intercultural competence. COIL for Staff is an innovative professional development opportunity designed for staff and administrative personnel, offering them a chance to deepen their knowledge and broaden their global perspectives while working with faculty and students at higher education campuses.
Congratulations to Paloma Rodriguez (UFIC), Jennifer North (UFIC), Yanina Morero (UFIC), Abel Gilbert (College of Dentistry), Tate Quinones (English Language Institute), Mabel Cardec (UFIC), and Sebastian Rodriguez Natali (UFIC), who represented the University of Florida as true Global Gators. A special acknowledgment goes to Zully Rivera from UF Counseling and Wellness Center and Patricia Alba from UF Human Resources, who, although unable to travel, were equally essential to the success of this 8-week professional development program.
The UF/CEU Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) for Staff began in February and culminated in April 2024. This inspiring program, the first staff virtual exchange project in the United States, offered nine UF staff members a global perspective on their professional fields through international virtual collaboration, innovation, engagement, and personal growth. Participants from CEU (Valencia) and UF (Gainesville) engaged in facilitated conversations, compared and contrasted their job responsibilities and experiences with their counterparts, and developed an online collaborative project aimed at improving aspects of their respective areas of responsibility on campus.
The next phase of this project will see some members of the CEU delegation visiting the UF campus where they will share their own experiences and gain first-hand insights into the work and functions of their UF partners.
For more information on the next UF’s COIL for Staff, please contact Paloma Rodriguez at prodriguez@ufic.ufl.edu.