Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) provides students with an accessible pathway to develop intercultural and global competencies, eliminating the barriers of traditional study abroad programs. Yet, for faculty, the process of planning and implementing a COIL collaboration is often a demanding journey, requiring time, adaptability and an increased workload.

This session brings together faculty partners from Canada and Mexico to candidly discuss the realities of COIL: the workload, the challenges, and sometimes the question: Why bother? From scheduling lead-up time to align institutional and teaching calendars, to managing competing teaching responsibilities, to dealing with the uncertainties of faculty schedules, and to addressing the ever-present challenges of student engagement, faculty are often left asking, 'Is it worth it?'. The presenters will share strategies for managing the demanding side of COIL while preserving its impactful benefits. They will discuss how to handle disruptions, such as students dropping out or disengaging, and how to scale back if the project design has bitten off more than it can chew. They will provide their ideas of how to ensure the collaboration remains valuable for all involved. The presenters will also share real-world examples of both successes and challenges while offering insight into what makes COIL a meaningful yet sometimes demanding addition to faculty workload. Attendees will leave with insights on how to support COIL initiatives when obstacles hit as well as some answers to the 'why bother' question.