Our study explores the influence of the Global Shared Learning – Collaborative Online International Learning (GSL-COIL) project on students' perceptions of context diversity in international business education. This research, a collaborative initiative between Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico and California State University Chico in the USA, involved binational teams of undergraduate business students. The GSL-COIL project, using digital tools like Padlet, Zoom, and WhatsApp, provided students with a global perspective on research topics such as transnational alliances and cultural dimensions. This article presents the initial findings of a larger project, which indicate varying levels of student understanding, emphasizing the role of context in business strategy and performance. Despite challenges like language barriers and distinct academic cultures, students reported improved intercultural competence and satisfaction with the collaborative learning experience. The practical contribution of our study is that it underscores the importance of integrating context diversity literature into international education curricula to prepare students for globalized careers. Our research findings have implications for the field of international business education, highlighting the need to enhance learning outcomes in international business contexts.