Paper: The Benefits of International Service-Learning: What You Need to Know and How To Get Started (19th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice)

Friday, 11 July 2008: 10:20 AM

Janelle Gardner, RNC, MSN, PhD , School of Nursing, CSU, Chico, Chico, CA

Learning Objective 1: Discuss at least three benefits of international service-learning opportunities for nursing students.

Learning Objective 2: Describe how a faculty member implements an international service-learning project.

International service-learning is an educational means to better educate and prepare future nurses for the diverse world in which they live. Service-learning provides rich and unique learning experiences that integrate classroom instruction, service, and knowledge development. Service-learning projects focus on building new values and skills, cultural knowledge, commitment to societal needs, and enhancing critical thinking and communication skills.

Nine nursing students participated in a 10-day international service-learning project in the poor, rural, indigenous areas of southern Mexico. The students provided care in clinics, performed community health assessments, taught health classes, and wrote in reflective journals each day of the trip. The service-learning project assisted the indigenous people and had a profound effect on the lives of the students.

The presenter will describe how to get started when faculty want to take a group of students abroad. Insights and lessons learned from service-learning projects will be discussed.

An international service-learning project allows students the opportunity to work with people from diverse cultures and become more culturally competent by being immersed in the daily realities of life and health in another country. These realities cannot be fully understood by didactic instruction alone. It's time to get out of the classroom.

See more of: Developing Cultural Awareness in Nursing Education
See more of: Research Sessions – Oral Paper & Posters