Abstract
International experiences are linked to personal growth and professional development, improved altruism, global awareness, and the ability to handle complex emotional situations.1-5 Studies have emphasized the enhancement of cultural humility through education abroad programs, reflecting on students' shifts in perspective and increased cultural awareness.6-8 The purpose of this project was to develop a bilateral nursing exchange for BSN students from the Indiana University School of Nursing in the United States and the Moi University College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing & Midwifery in Kenya. Educational outcomes were an exploration of how culture, care delivery, and health policy impact the design of care; to demonstrate effective intercultural communication skills between students, faculty and interprofessional agencies; and to examine social determinants of health in low- and middle-income populations. Moi University was chosen based on a previous partnership between Kenya and the US. Administrators had several visits to Moi University and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in 2022-23. The site visits were useful in developing relationships, touring facilities, and developing an understanding of both nursing programs. Visits also afforded opportunities for IUSON and Moi to share information about their schools and nursing programs, and develop learning objectives for students. Next, faculty from each of the two schools was identified as a program leader. Meetings were held via an online conferencing application, which allowed for the development of schedules for learning and cultural activities. The US students were in Kenya for 2-weeks in May ‘24, during which time they participated in a community-based assessment and education program, hospital clinical experiences, and presented at a Global Nursing Conference9. In turn, the Kenyan students spent 6-weeks in Indiana in Aug/Sept.’24 learning about the US healthcare system and culture. They participated in both community and hospital clinical activities. They also presented to a group of nursing faculty regarding education in Kenya. The bilateral exchange program was highly successful in meeting student learning outcomes and increasing global health understanding. Challenges for students were primarily logistical in nature, including issues such as costs for food, housing, and transportation. Challenges for faculty included personal time and financial commitments, and unclear workload credit.
Notes
Reference list included in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Cultural Exchange Programs, Study Abroad, Teaching and Learning Strategies, Academic-clinical Partnership, Nursing Education, Advances in Education
Recommended Citation
deRose, Barbara S.; Murray, Bethany Ann; von Gaudecker, Jane Cheriyattil; and Kyololo, O'brien, "Advancing Educational Strategies Through an International Bilateral Student Exchange Program" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 65.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/65
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
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
2025-11-20
Advancing Educational Strategies Through an International Bilateral Student Exchange Program
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
International experiences are linked to personal growth and professional development, improved altruism, global awareness, and the ability to handle complex emotional situations.1-5 Studies have emphasized the enhancement of cultural humility through education abroad programs, reflecting on students' shifts in perspective and increased cultural awareness.6-8 The purpose of this project was to develop a bilateral nursing exchange for BSN students from the Indiana University School of Nursing in the United States and the Moi University College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing & Midwifery in Kenya. Educational outcomes were an exploration of how culture, care delivery, and health policy impact the design of care; to demonstrate effective intercultural communication skills between students, faculty and interprofessional agencies; and to examine social determinants of health in low- and middle-income populations. Moi University was chosen based on a previous partnership between Kenya and the US. Administrators had several visits to Moi University and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in 2022-23. The site visits were useful in developing relationships, touring facilities, and developing an understanding of both nursing programs. Visits also afforded opportunities for IUSON and Moi to share information about their schools and nursing programs, and develop learning objectives for students. Next, faculty from each of the two schools was identified as a program leader. Meetings were held via an online conferencing application, which allowed for the development of schedules for learning and cultural activities. The US students were in Kenya for 2-weeks in May ‘24, during which time they participated in a community-based assessment and education program, hospital clinical experiences, and presented at a Global Nursing Conference9. In turn, the Kenyan students spent 6-weeks in Indiana in Aug/Sept.’24 learning about the US healthcare system and culture. They participated in both community and hospital clinical activities. They also presented to a group of nursing faculty regarding education in Kenya. The bilateral exchange program was highly successful in meeting student learning outcomes and increasing global health understanding. Challenges for students were primarily logistical in nature, including issues such as costs for food, housing, and transportation. Challenges for faculty included personal time and financial commitments, and unclear workload credit.
Description
A BSN nursing program in Indiana, U.S.A. and in Eldoret, Kenya collaborated to develop a bilateral student exchange program. Students were mutually involved in community and hospital-based health experiences, nursing education and had the opportunity to meet faculty and nurses. The exchange program was highly successful in meeting student learning outcomes and increasing global health understanding. Challenges included faculty time commitment, cost, and unclear delegation of faculty workload.