Bridging Cultures, Building Financial Data Literacy: Experience From a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Project in Asia

This study examines the effectiveness of a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project aimed at enhancing intercultural communication and financial data literacy among communication students in Asia. Recognizing the low financial literacy levels in the region, particularly among non-business majors, this research seeks to address the gap through an innovative COIL approach. The project involves journalism students from Indonesia and Hong Kong, utilizing synchronous and asynchronous online tools to facilitate cross-cultural interactions for a better understanding of economic data across different regions. A mixed-methods approach will be employed, including pre- and post-assessments, online learning platform performance analytics, and qualitative interviews to measure improvements in financial literacy and intercultural skills. The study adopts Deardorff’s intercultural communication competency framework but seeks alternative theoretical models to better explore the intersection of financial literacy education and intercultural communication. The study addresses a gap in existing literature by examining COIL's potential in financial literacy education for communication students within an Asian context. This aligns with calls for more diverse geographical perspectives in educational research, offering insights from beyond Western contexts.