An enjoyable involvement: A qualitative study of short-term study abroad for nursing students

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the experiences of nursing students who have undertaken a short course in an overseas educational system to generate theoretical understanding of the experience of studying abroad. Learning in the health professions needs to considered in the context of globalization as a way of sharing knowledge and taking responsibility as world citizens. Studying abroad provides students with an opportunity to develop global health care competencies. A symbolic interactionist approach was adopted to gain insight into how the students constructed the meaning of studying abroad. The study was conducted at a university with 2 campuses in Taiwan. A purposive sampling strategy was employed to recruit 14 participants. Data were collected from August to November 2017 via individual in-depth interviews. A semi-structured interview guide was used. Qualitative content analysis was employed to analyse the data. Each interview was audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Most students identified both positive and negative experiences related to their professional and personal development and needs. They demonstrated motivation to leave their comfort zone and enter a challenging environment as well as a high level of adaptability. The experience enabled them to see themselves as part of the world and expanded their learning in positive ways. On completion of their course, they encouraged others to experience this enjoyable once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Transatlantic Collaborations: Baccalaureate Nursing Students’ Experiences of Participating in a Semester-Long Study Abroad Program

“…Exposure to different assessment methods tested different learning styles, supporting synthesis and application of nursing knowledge through the engagement of critical thinking skills ( Rao, 2019 ). Introducing new pedagogies for study abroad students can be challenging ( Hsiao et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Online conversations among US faculty, international education divisions, and students that continued throughout the study abroad initiative helped in acclimatizing students, who described a keenness to explore and learn details of their upcoming experience (Kolb, 1984) and reported developing confidence throughout the semester, findings similarly reported by Bagnasco et al (2020). Understanding different ways of thinking and different ways of being educated seemed to lead to feelings of personal growth and maturity (Hsiao et al, 2021).…”