Four Corners of the World: Project-Based Learning in a Multicultural Virtual Environment

Abstract

The paper details a course offering that centers on student transformational experience and self-efficacy growth in an international environment by merging business, entrepreneurship and cultural experiences. Self-efficacy is achieved through both a mastery experience, mastering a task and controlling the environment, and vicarious experience through observation of people and activities. An inexpensive but very effective combination of multi-cultural virtual and in situ team work with a strong cultural component provides the transformational experience. Originally involving only two universities, one in China and one in the United Sates, the course has expanded over the years of its existence to four participating universities, each representing a different continent. The virtual pre-travel component, which was always an important part of the course design, became especially prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The advantages and challenges associated with the course design and implementation are discussed.