Other Titles
Interprofessional Teaching Strategies: Providing Students From Two Countries With Global Learning [Symposium Title]
Abstract
In 2022, there were 2.8 million undergraduate students in the U.S. About 6% studied abroad, leaving 94% of students without exposure to global perspectives. To enable global learning for nursing students, Ohio State University College of Nursing in Ohio and Lovisenberg Diaconal University College in Norway developed a common course on urban health whereby two separate teaching strategies were used: travel abroad to Norway/U.S. and “at home” collaborative online international learning (COIL). The purpose of these strategies is to connect COIL students with travel abroad students in both countries to enhance global learning.
In spring of 2024 prior to starting the common course, 32 students were divided into four groups: 2 travel abroad and 2 “at home” COIL groups. All students participated in virtual “ice breaker” activities to build relationships and prepare for the course. Once the course started and the travel abroad and COIL students met, all groups focused on common health concerns impacting urban health in Norway and the US. All students participated in case studies, virtual reality simulations, and visited health care facilities in urban settings. Parallel synchronous and asynchronous discussions were used to compare support across different health care systems for marginalized populations. At the end, all groups completed virtual presentations that met course requirements for both countries.
Blending “at home” COIL and travel abroad students in a global exchange is an effective teaching strategy that develops global awareness, broadens perspectives, and enhances cultural competence for nursing students. Feedback from students showed that these blended learning strategies fostered global learning and understanding.
Notes
References:
1. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The Essentials: core competencies for professional nursing education. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/Publications/Essentials-2021.pdf
2. Jenssen, U., Bochenek, J. M., King, T. S., Steindal, S. A., Hestvold, I. V., & Morrison-Beedy, D. (2024). Impact of COIL: Learning from student nurses in Norway who collaborated with US students. J. Transcult. Nurs., 35(1), 74-82. doi: 10.1177/10436596231209043. Epub 2023 Nov 7. PMID: 37933746; PMCID: PMC10714699.
3. Morrison-Beedy D, Jenssen U, Bochenek J, Bowles W, King TS, Mathisen L. (2021). Building global nursing citizens through curricular integration of sustainable development goals within an international clinical experience. Nurse educator, 46(1):10-12. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000000831. PMID: 32195766.
4. Open Doors. (2023). U.S. study abroad report on international exchange: Fast facts. US Department of State. https://opendoorsdata.org/annual-release/u-s-study-abroad/#fast-facts.
5. The Forum on Education Abroad. (2024). Standards of good practice. https://www.forumea.org/standards-of-good-practice.html
Sigma Membership
Epsilon
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Cultural Exchange Programs, Study Abroad, Collaborative Online International Learning, Virtual Learning
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Tracy; Jenssen, Unni; Bochenek, Jeanie M.; and Edwards, Sara, "Blending Virtual Learning and Travel Abroad as Teaching Strategies to Develop Global Perspectives" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 278.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/278
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, 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.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Blending Virtual Learning and Travel Abroad as Teaching Strategies to Develop Global Perspectives
Seattle, Washington, USA
In 2022, there were 2.8 million undergraduate students in the U.S. About 6% studied abroad, leaving 94% of students without exposure to global perspectives. To enable global learning for nursing students, Ohio State University College of Nursing in Ohio and Lovisenberg Diaconal University College in Norway developed a common course on urban health whereby two separate teaching strategies were used: travel abroad to Norway/U.S. and “at home” collaborative online international learning (COIL). The purpose of these strategies is to connect COIL students with travel abroad students in both countries to enhance global learning.
In spring of 2024 prior to starting the common course, 32 students were divided into four groups: 2 travel abroad and 2 “at home” COIL groups. All students participated in virtual “ice breaker” activities to build relationships and prepare for the course. Once the course started and the travel abroad and COIL students met, all groups focused on common health concerns impacting urban health in Norway and the US. All students participated in case studies, virtual reality simulations, and visited health care facilities in urban settings. Parallel synchronous and asynchronous discussions were used to compare support across different health care systems for marginalized populations. At the end, all groups completed virtual presentations that met course requirements for both countries.
Blending “at home” COIL and travel abroad students in a global exchange is an effective teaching strategy that develops global awareness, broadens perspectives, and enhances cultural competence for nursing students. Feedback from students showed that these blended learning strategies fostered global learning and understanding.
Description
Overall Symposium Summary: Over the past five years, a U.S. and Norwegian academic team sustained a partnership to engage and enhance nursing students' education on local and global health issues to address the Sustainable Development Goals. The interprofessional team developed Innovative teaching strategies for students to become global citizens whether internationalization occurred at home or abroad. It is imperative that nurse educators prepare future nursing generations with global perspectives.
Note: The attached slide deck is a combined symposium presentation containing the slides of all featured symposium speakers.
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