Expanding Worldview: Australian Nursing Students’ Experience of Cultural Immersion in India

Abstract

Increasing cultural diversity and a sense of global community has necessitated the introduction of cultural competence in the education of health care providers. Some institutions have utilized cultural immersion programs to address this need of cultural competence. Studies have not yet described what this experience is for Australian nursing students. The purpose of this study is to describe the immersion experience of a group of senior Australian nursing students who participated in a five week cultural immersion program in India.

Preliminary Insights into International Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Placements in Disability and Student Recommendations for Success

“…The participants' direct exposure to living and working in a Muslim country, in addition to having very positive, friendly and affirming interactions with the staff in the disability services, helped to alter their personal perceptions. These results concur with the findings of numerous other studies (Charles et al, 2014;Greatrex-White, 2008;Jones et al, 2012;Maynes et al, 2013;Tuckett and Crompton, 2013) which highlight that students, through international WIL, learn that, despite cultural differences, everyone is, 'connected as human beings,' (Greatrex-White, 2008, p. 8). Consequently, it can be inferred and asserted that this particular international WIL helped increase the cultural competence of students.…”

“…Research also confirms that students on international WIL undergo a transformative change in their thought processes when they confront their own cultural beliefs and biases when exposed to cultures profoundly different from their own (Mkandawire-Valhmu & Doering, 2012). Peiying et al (2012), Charles et al (2014) and Murray (2015) stated that when students are on an international placement they displayed the following characteristics: their cultural sensitivity is increased through cultural dissonance; increased vigilance and adaptation to environment; uncertainty and anticipation; grappling with supremacy; recognising and appreciating differences; and cultural immersion.…”

“…At times the participants struggled with the local food, the pace of the placement activities and with the hot and humid weather. A number of other studies have discussed how it is necessary for students to experience the discomfort of being outside their comfort zone in order for them to achieve positive growth and awareness in their cultural understanding (Charles et al, 2014;Murray, 2015;Smith-Miller et al, 2010;Stachowski & Sparks, 2007).…”

Nurses’ Perceptions of Their Cultural Competence in Caring for Diverse Patient Populations

“…Immersion experiences and study abroad experiences provide opportunities for students to learn about other cultures within the context of the culture resulting in improved cultural self-awareness and sensitivity (Charles et al, 2014;Harrowing, Gregory, O'Sullivan, Lee, & Doolittle, 2012).…”

Cultural immersion through international experiences among Japanese nurses: Present status, future intentions, and perceived barriers

“…In order to strengthen the cultural competence of nurses, the effects of cultural immersion through international experiences has often been pointed out, mostly among nursing students participating in a program at their educational institution (Caffrey, Neander, Markle, & Stewart, ; Charles et al ., ; Edwards, ; Larsen & Reif, ). Experiencing a different culture away from home enables nursing students to understand various factors that affect the health conditions and behaviors of people living in that culture.…”