Student Experiences With an International Public Health Exchange Project

Abstract

Health Care Professionals are challenged by the increasing complexity of their own health care delivery systems and by growing inter-connectivity of the health care system worldwide. The role and the scope of health care practice within each country are often unclear, which can result in inappropriate role assumptions and differing levels of education and/or experience. Consequently qualifications and roles are often misunderstood by health care professionals in other countries, despite the increasing call for practice across boundaries in times of disaster,during international travel, and due to immigration and relocation. Subsequently, the partner institutions of this international project, offering health-related programs and international activities, were committed to a partnership that would increase work experiences abroad, student mobility and multicultural awareness, and aid the development of joint training modules in collaboration with partners in health care organizations. Participating faculty describe the process, challenges, and keys to success found in creating and living this international project. Students involved in the exchange process among seven partner schools in five countries evaluate the learning opportunities and challenges, and the joy of coming together as newfound colleagues and friends.

Preliminary Insights into International Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Placements in Disability and Student Recommendations for Success

“…The participants described their experience as positive, rewarding and well worth the financial cost. Student cohorts in research from Smith and Curry (2011), DeDee and Stewart (2003) and Critchley et al (2009) reported similar outcomes when describing their participants' international WIL experiences. Students in this research reported their experience was transformative, unforgettable and life changing.…”

Nursing study abroad trip preparation: Finding consensus through a Delphi technique

“…At another sending institution, a course taught applied research strategies, global health/health disparities, the culture and values of the host country, and students were expected to report daily activities (Anderson et al, 2012). Language courses were recommended at another institution, however the language courses were not always offered at the appropriate semester before students would study abroad, complicating students' ability to prepare linguistically (Critchley et al, 2009). Journal Pre-proof J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f 4The few articles that mentioned preparation mostly kept details to one sentence.…”

“…The other students that had six months of preparation still experienced fearfulness and hearing gunshots, which made them anxious. Another group of students expressed difficulty anticipating their preparation needs, not knowing certain details of the trip until immediately before departure (Critchley et al, 2009). In any discussion of preparation, the potential for harm ought to be considered.…”

Nursing Lecturers’ Perception and Experience of Teaching Cultural Competence: A European Qualitative Study

“…European health services designed to meet the needs of static monocultural populations are thus required to review their ability to meet the needs of diverse patients, families and communities [13]. Therefore, providing culture-specific care to the myriad culturally diverse populations has become a European priority and a professional responsibility [10,14,15]. Furthermore, the Global Standards for the Initial Education of Professional Nurses and Midwives [16] advises nursing and midwifery schools to train graduates who are able to demonstrate cultural competence.…”