Ehrmann and Collins mention in their paper "Can Distance Enhance Quality?", with a link to this paper in a previous blog, a key learning and capacity building challenge to successful collaboration: "those [higher education institutions] that do emphasize collaboration, how many are adding to skills specific to collaboration online, e.g., how to cope with tension among online collaborators from different parts of the country or the world, collaborators who do not initially know one another's assumptions, cultures or personality quirks." As any Returned UK (VSO) Volunteer Service Overseas and US Peace Corps Volunteer will tell you: "learning and capacity building must travel in both directions."

Comments from VSO returned volunteers on the VSO Website:

Seeing people in a range of normal, everyday activities reinforce bonds of common humanity.
The kids I taught had exactly the same hopes, dreams and ambitions as Western kids... they behaved exactly the same way as teenagers in the UK, often bolshy and
temperamental.

Exposure to other cultures can have a great impact on personal values, development and priorities in life. It forces you to question your own values, behaviour and cultural norms.
We are too hung up on choice in the West. We are so busy making choices that we don't have the time to make the most of what we have.

It generates greater appreciation and awareness of our own opportunities and privileges.
I've changed personally. If I'm ever having a hard time I always think back to Namibia and thank my bloody lucky stars I was born in the UK and have all the educational, medical and material advantages afforded by living in the West.

Learning from other cultures encourages embracing new ways of living, different attitudes and priorities. It also creates personal potential to create change and make a difference.
My worldview has totally changed. I've become more critical of Western policy and practice towards developing countries...

The close of this section of the VSO Website said: "Most importantly of all, living and working in a developing country appears to shatter the feelings of false superiority that seem to hang like a cloud over our perceptions of the developing world. It creates a more equal relationship."