International Cultural Immersion Experience at Chamberlain College of Nursing: Two weeks in Brazil

This international program includes a two-week intense immersion experience in Salvador, Brazil and is a collaborative effort between Chamberlain College of Nursing and Faculdade Ruy Barbosa, a subsidiary of DeVry Education Group. This effort, a long-term partnership, is a continuing relationship with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes in Brazil. Led by Gigi Melendez, MSN, RNC-OB, the focus of a cultural immersion experience includes disease prevention and health promotion. Students are engaged in hands-on activities in clinical settings as well as community home visits. The educational activities are designed to improve community health awareness in the country visited.

The international immersion experience is open to students from any of Chamberlain's twelve locations nationwide and remains one of the college's most popular offerings. "These students say they learn more in these 2 weeks than during their entire college career. The experience is transformative for them," reports Fletcher.

The students enroll in NR441 Community Health-International and receive four credits once they complete the course. Students may also enroll in INT351-Multiculturism if they have not taken a cultural diversity course. This particular course directly relates to the international experience the students have while in Brazil.

Chamberlain College of Nursing offers this international nursing service project as part of the college’s experiential learning model, which provides students with opportunities to expand their education through a full spectrum of social, cause-related and field experiences. The two-week itinerary that allows students to learn about the host country’s culture and provide healthcare in impoverished urban and rural areas.

The presentation includes qualitative and quantitative data related to cultural awareness and sensitivity changes pre and post trip. The students learn that as healthcare professionals, they are fortunate to have the opportunity to create change in the world by sharing knowledge, skills and cultural experiences with others.