There are experiences open to students that offer unique cultural perspectives to those interested in expanding their knowledge and awareness. During the past several years there have been short term international opportunities in countries such as Spain, Ireland, Nicaragua, Honduras and Peru. Experiences in Japan and Ireland provided elective credits for students while they studied the culture and health care delivery system of another country. Sites in such places as Nicaragua, Honduras and Peru provided opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills learned in health promotion and community health courses in a multicultural setting. This experience also assisted students in examining health care issues in other cultures. Students have taught health promotion classes to members of the community, immunized children in an orphanage, done health assessments on people who have never had a physical exam, taught and demonstrated blood pressure and pulse rate techniques to local health workers and donated much-needed equipment and medications.

"This experience in Waslala, Nicaragua, not only allowed me to teach in a foreign, impoverished country but I was able to learn from the people and culture as well."

ENS Christine Burns, NC, USNR
BSN '04
Alexandria, VA
Connelly-Delouvrier International Scholar

Students have also traveled to Weslaco, Texas for a supplemental clinical experience in parent-child nursing where they worked at a birth center, gained exposure to a different socioeconomic patient group, provided teaching to pregnant women, experienced midwifery clinical practice, observed a “natural” birth in an alternate setting and performed post-partum care on newly delivered mothers. They spent time in a variety of clinics, including an outreach clinic in Mexico.  

The College will continue to expand its international and multicultural efforts. With the support of the Connelly-Delouvrier International Scholars Program, additional experiences will be designed to provide a variety of short and long term educational opportunities within the nursing curriculum for select groups of nursing students.