Creating International Student Experiences Through Academic–INGO Partnerships

Abstract

Introduction: Short-term experiences in global health (STEGH) provide nursing students with opportunities to develop global health competencies through immersion in another culture. Skills that students obtain by participating in STEGHs can inform future practice with diverse patient populations. However, educators encounter unique challenges to the quality and sustainability of STEGHs. Methods: This article describes an academic partnership between a baccalaureate nursing program and a community-based international nongovernmental organization (INGO), how the partnership informed development of STEGH for nursing students, the benefits of the program for students and community, and the lessons learned through the process. Results: Academic–INGO partnerships provide unique benefits for creating sustainable, rigorous STEGHs that are informed and guided by the needs of the hosting community. Discussion: By partnering with community-based INGOs, faculty can design STEGHs that offer robust learning opportunities that facilitate the development of global health competencies while providing thoughtful, sustainable outreach for communities.