Learning Objective #1: Describe three strategies for developing successful international programs

Learning Objective #2: Discuss the rationale for developing international programs focusing on health care

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With the increasingly global nature of health care, it is imperative that students, faculty, scholars and administrators become more aware of cultural and global interaction opportunities. One means of achieving this goal is to provide international experiences for students, faculty, and other stakeholders in health care. These experiences need to be designed to go beyond being a curious tourist to help build partnerships for scholarship, practice, and exchange opportunities. Through these programs, both partners have the potential to extend their networks and reap the benefits of the others' strengths.

With the best of intentions, these programs have been designed to enhance cultural awareness, analyze different health care systems, and integrate transcultural concepts with the learning experiences provided in nursing education and scholarship arenas. However, we all know that things rarely go as smoothly as they are planned. The process of development and implementation of international programs under the canopy of nursing education has been applied several times over the last two years. The location context may differ, but the essential processes remain the same.

This presentation will provide an overview of the processes and attributes required to implement programs in the international arena. An A to Z approach will be offered to describe the successes, pitfalls, triumphs and frustrations in offering programs that accomplish their intended goal of developing clinical and educational leaders in the global arena.