“We live in an interconnected, global world. Expanding the knowledge and lived experience of our students through study abroad is essential for addressing nursing and health care within Minnesota and beyond.”
Connie White Delaney, Professor and Dean, School of Nursing
Academic Planning
Review the following suggestions from the School of Nursing before beginning your study abroad research.
How will studying abroad fulfill my requirements
- Nursing students are strongly encouraged to study abroad during May session, summer or winter break. This will ensure that students maintain the correct semester course sequencing.
- Many short-term programs fulfill liberal education requirements and some provide unique opportunities for intensive language study.
- Consult the U Credit Abroad Search of study abroad courses that have been approved for Liberal Education. If a course is not listed, it may still meet a liberal education requirement. We encourage you to submit your course(s) for evaluation.
- Students interested in gaining practical experience but not necessarily earning credit are encourages to consider a volunteer abroad experience.
Courses in the major
- While it may be possible to take some Nursing core courses abroad (physiology, anatomy, microbiology), it is generally not recommended due to the stringent course sequencing.
- Students interested in fulfilling major requirements should meet with their academic adviser very early in the planning process to determine the impact on their degree program.
School of Nursing (SoN) Sponsored Opportunities
- The SoN periodically offers global health opportunities specific to nursing students.
Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety (GAPS)
If you plan to participate in a program where you may have interaction with patients, complete the Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety (GAPS) online module. This interactive online workshop developed by the Pre-Health Student Resource Center will help you:
- prepare for your experience abroad
- use your experience abroad to make a positive impact on your health program application
- consider the legal and ethical boundaries that should guide your activities while abroad
- understand your own limitations as an unlicensed student
Programs
Asia and Oceania
Australia
- The 6-week summer program offers a 6-credit internship, which allows students to integrate with Australians, experience the culture firsthand, and gain professional skills.
- Placements may be possible within the healthcare industry.
Europe
Denmark
- Summer courses include Human Health & Disease: A Clinical Approach; and Health Delivery and Prioritization in Northern Europe.
- No language prerequisite—all courses taught in English by Danish faculty
Ireland
- Live and study alongside Irish students, gaining an international perspective on nursing and healthcare.
- Complete a supervised practicum at a healthcare facility in Limerick or the surrounding area, working alongside Irish nursing professionals.
- Stay on course to complete the BSN degree, taking classes at Limerick matching the curriculum of the Fall semester, Senior year.
Spain
- Summer students can enroll in classes and also have the option to enroll in a 3-6-credit internship.
- The internship includes an academic seminar and is ideal for becoming immersed in Spanish culture while gaining work experience in a health-related field.
- 2 years college-level Spanish
United Kingdom
- The six-week summer program offers a 6-credit internship, which allows students to integrate with Brits, experience the culture first-hand, and gain professional skills.
- Placements may be possible within the healthcare industry.
Additional Options to Consider
Child Family Health International
- Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, India, South Africa, Uganda
- 2, 4, or 8-week programs; some sites have a language requirement
- Child Family Health International offers community-based global health education programs for health science students
- This is an affiliate, non-credit program
- 3-week, 3-credit programs at the 3000-level led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff over winter break or May session.
- Explore an exciting location and topic, Fulfill Liberal Education requirements, or earn major/minor credit.
- Combine on-campus instruction during the spring semester with a study abroad component during spring break, on a 3 credits, 1xxx level Seminar.
- Freshman Seminars Abroad are designed specifically for first-year students as an introduction to study abroad, an opportunity to explore an exciting location and topic, and likely fulfill a liberal education requirement.
- Check out additional LAC Instructor-led Seminars that might run over winter break, spring break, May, and summer sessions. They vary in length, dates, and content so students can find one that best fits their academic and professional goals.
- Begin your language study or work toward completing requirements for a language minor.
- Complete a semester of language on a short-term program or explore options to complete two or more semesters of language on semester-long program.