Maximising intercultural learning opportunities: learning with, from and about students from different cultures

Abstract

Nurses continue to experience challenges when caring for culturally diverse patients and while working with staff from different cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. The widening landscape of cultural diversity in the nursing classroom provides a vehicle for intercultural learning, supporting intercultural competence development. However, students must embrace culturally diverse learning environments and maximise opportunities to learn with, from and about students from different cultural backgrounds. This requires developing the courage, curiosity and commitment to maximise all intercultural learning opportunities. Drawing on experiences of international students studying in culturally diverse classrooms, this article presents some practical suggestions for meaningfully engaging and capitalising on intercultural learning opportunities.