Situations and strategies for cultural learning in a short exchange programme

Abstract

The European Nursing Module was designed to enable nursing students to benefit from a short-term exchange, offering the opportunity to experience different societies, their culture and nursing culture. Cultural learning is essential in preparing students to co-work with patients and relatives who come from other cultural backgrounds. This descriptive study aimed to identify the situations and strategies valued by students and that contribute to professional and cultural learning during a short-term exchange programme. A online survey questionnaire was answered by 329 students attending a cross-European module. From their experience students valued highest: time to observe and understand, awareness of their own culture, a positive attitude, opportunities to compare differences and similarities, sharing and communicating. Valued stepping-stones were, to realise and respect differences and a chance to reflect. More studies are needed on the role of the observer and the impact of reflection on a short-term programme.