Transformation of Faculty-Based on International and Intercultural Fulbright Scholar Experience in Higher Education and Health Care

Purpose:

This presentation results from a focused ethnographic study of the experience of being a Fulbright Nursing Scholar undertaking teaching and research in a different country and culture, particularly within a healthcare setting.  The cultures considered are those of (a) higher education, (b) nursing and hospitals, and (c) the Middle East.

The presentation’s main purposes are (a) to discuss the potentially transformative experience of being a Fulbright nursing scholar in the Middle East in higher education, in healthcare, and doing volunteer outreach in the community; (b) to share observations relevant to faculty members’ successful Fulbright  experiences in an international and intercultural setting, including perceived barriers, international and intercultural safety issues, and mediating perceptions and expectations between the host community and the visiting vo; (c) to suggest elements that enhance the value of the experience for the Fulbright Scholar, the host population, and the host’s home community.

Methods: The field work for this project was substantially based at Bethlehem University (BU) in Palestine, and included visits to Augusta Victoria Hospital (Jerusalem), University of Jordan (Amman), Jordan University of Science and Technology (Irbid) .  Research methodology was based on the Observation-Participation-Reflection model

Results: Emergent themes included the importance of personal contact with nursing faculty and nursing students globally, and the importance of understanding the health, family dynamics culture and language of families and their children globally. Nursing faculty impact the health of the children and their families through education, research and health promotion

Conclusion: My Fulbright experience in Palestine, Jordan and Egypt was personally and professionally amazing, enriching, empowering and transformed me to an expert in global teaching, leadership role and research in nursing. Most compelling elements of my experiences were centered on my teaching strength, research and community workshops.