Nursing Students Study Abroad

In the picture back row from left:  Elizabeth Ervin (student); Devica Dumas (student); Monica Nichols (student); and Kei Berlin (student).  Front row from left: Dr. Paula Delpech (N-SAP faculty coordinator); Dr. Pegge Bell (Dean CHS); Madeline Acosta (student); Bruceline Michel (student); Patricia Orizondo (student); Professor Sharon Rafalko (N-SAP faculty); Dr. Karen Miles (Undergraduate Program Director); and Dr. Claudette Spalding (Chair, Division of Nursing).

In March, the Division of Nursing will participate in their first ever study abroad program. Seven senior nursing students and two faculty members will travel to the Caribbean island of Grenada to participate in health education and health promotion activities. Barry University students will have the opportunity to work with students from the St. Georges University School of Nursing in Grenada, along with local public health nurses. This Faculty Led, International Nursing Study Abroad Program (N-SAP) is a way to offer an innovative method of teaching by fostering academic and experiential learning in a global setting. N-SAP is a community-focused course that is integrated into an existing course taught in the senior year of the nursing program.  The home-stay model will be utilized in order to facilitate cultural immersion and a context for academic learning.

Participating in a study abroad program will give nursing students the opportunity to engage in cultural encounters which will broaden their insight and have a profound impact on their personal and professional growth.  At the end of the study abroad program the student will understand their culture in a global and comparative context. They will recognize that their culture is one of many diverse cultures and alternative perceptions and behaviors such as health and illnesses may be based on cultural beliefs.  Student will also be able to recognize how nursing is viewed and practiced in a different cultural context.