Abstract
Background: To increase cultural competency in nursing students and to collaborate with other nursing schools globally, a study abroad program was established. This program focuses on the Peruvian culture and the improvement of the quality of life for the Peruvian population. Students were to gain insight into the differences and similarities of Peruvian and US healthcare issues, and immerse themselves in the Peruvian health care system with clinical practice alongside Peruvian nurses.
Method: This is a descriptive study. The group consists of 4 faculty and 32 students, from undergraduate to doctoral students. An in-country university collaborated with the group to establish an international conference. The students presented their posters on various research subjects. The students were able to attend clinical in hospitals in Lima, working side by side with Peruvian nurses. Students on both sides were working together to provide screening and health education to the residents in a remote village. A service learning activity was done in a remote village serving a local children's group. Cultural and historical areas were visited along with local food tastings.
Results: Post-trip satisfaction questionnaire was distributed to the travelers. Most travelers were very satisfied with the study abroad course. The students have expanded their worldview, experiencing firsthand the Peruvian culture, and giving care to the population outside their norm. The collaboration between the U.S. University and the in-country university was strengthened with collaborative research in the planning.
Conclusion: This study abroad was very successful in the developing study abroad program in between countries. Collaboration in between universities in the two countries was strengthened promising more programs to come. More study abroad programs are needed to strengthen the global focus of nursing education.
Notes
References:
de Diego-Lázaro, B., Winn, K., & Restrepo, M. A. (2020). Cultural competence and self-efficacy after study abroad experiences. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(4), 1896–1909. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJSLP-19-00101
Kim, H. S., & Lawrence, J. H. (2021). Who studies abroad? Understanding the impact of intent on participation. Research in Higher Education, 62(8), 1039–1085. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-021-09629-9
Krishnan, L. A., & Jin, L. (2022). Long-term impact of study abroad on intercultural development. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 7(1), 248–259. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_PERSP-21-00049
Leap, A., Tignor, S., & Udowitch, E. (2022). Strengthening the bridge between financial aid and study abroad. Journal of Student Financial Aid, 51(3), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.55504/0884-9153.1798
Miller, K. M. (2024). Bridging the gap: Evaluating Miami University's John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) and its approach to expanding study abroad accessibility for students (Publication No. 3148058143) [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
Netz, N. (2021). Who benefits most from studying abroad? A conceptual and empirical overview. Higher Education, 82(6), 1049–1069. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-021-00760-1
Sigma Membership
Beta Beta (Houston)
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Study Abroad, Teaching and Learning Strategies, Curriculum Development, Global Collaborations, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence--Education
Recommended Citation
Ho, Tuong Vi; Striplin, Jeri; Ramirez, Alicia; Le, Anh Tuyet; and Nguyen, Van, "Global Nursing Education and Collaboration - A Peru Study Abroad Experience" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 53.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/53
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-24
Global Nursing Education and Collaboration - A Peru Study Abroad Experience
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: To increase cultural competency in nursing students and to collaborate with other nursing schools globally, a study abroad program was established. This program focuses on the Peruvian culture and the improvement of the quality of life for the Peruvian population. Students were to gain insight into the differences and similarities of Peruvian and US healthcare issues, and immerse themselves in the Peruvian health care system with clinical practice alongside Peruvian nurses.
Method: This is a descriptive study. The group consists of 4 faculty and 32 students, from undergraduate to doctoral students. An in-country university collaborated with the group to establish an international conference. The students presented their posters on various research subjects. The students were able to attend clinical in hospitals in Lima, working side by side with Peruvian nurses. Students on both sides were working together to provide screening and health education to the residents in a remote village. A service learning activity was done in a remote village serving a local children's group. Cultural and historical areas were visited along with local food tastings.
Results: Post-trip satisfaction questionnaire was distributed to the travelers. Most travelers were very satisfied with the study abroad course. The students have expanded their worldview, experiencing firsthand the Peruvian culture, and giving care to the population outside their norm. The collaboration between the U.S. University and the in-country university was strengthened with collaborative research in the planning.
Conclusion: This study abroad was very successful in the developing study abroad program in between countries. Collaboration in between universities in the two countries was strengthened promising more programs to come. More study abroad programs are needed to strengthen the global focus of nursing education.
Description
A Peru nursing study abroad experience offers global health immersion, clinical practice alongside local providers, and community wellness education in resource-limited settings.