Transcultural Nursing
Take your nursing education to a global level with this study abroad opportunity. MCN's Transcultural Nursing Experience Program takes students beyond the traditional boundaries of classroom and clinical practicums, offering eligible nursing students at both the undergraduate and graduate level the opportunity to participate in a hands-on clinical experience abroad.
At a Glance
- Students go together as a group and are accompanied by faculty.
- Experiences are up to 2 weeks and take place in the summer immediately following spring term. For undergraduate students, this experience is available the summer following your junior year.
- Students must register for appropriate coursework corresponding with the experience.
- Knowledge of Spanish language preferred.
- Must pass all nursing classes taken in the two semesters prior to departure.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA.
Current Destination: Panama, University of Panama
MCN refreshes its destinations over time. In the past, students have traveled to Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and more. Please check this page to stay updated on the experiences being offered.
Experience Overview
The Panama experience is run in conjunction with our other established transcultural experiences and is specifically designed for students about to enroll in NUR 317 Nursing Care of Children and NUR 329 Public Health Nursing clinical courses. Nursing students accrue 45 clinical hours in Panama by participating in a variety of health care and cultural experiences, including health promotion efforts, physical assessment of children, and more. Students spend time learning the clinical and cultural objectives in hospitals, day care, elementary schools, community clinics and more clinical sites, enabling them to compare modes of communication, health care systems, and the role of nursing. Students also learn about the people and the culture of Panama, enhancing cultural sensitivity and experiencing the challenge of overcoming language barriers. Tours of historic and local cultural sites are part of the program.
Lodging
The nursing students will stay in a centrally located hotel, and van service will be provided to get students from their hotel to their clinical experience sites as well as their cultural experience sites.
Estimated Cost
To participate in the Panama program, students can expect expenses to total approximately $2,900. However, this is only an estimate and may change based on airfare rates, exchange rate variance, and economic fluctuations.
Scholarships
One of the ways students can offset the cost of a transcultural experience is by applying for scholarships.
Transcultural Nursing Scholarship
Additional Scholarships
| MCN Scholarships | ISU Study Abroad Scholarships |
|
Mennonite College of Nursing offers scholarships for nursing students. Apply for scholarships through the following application between January 11–March 5. Students will be notified of awards by April 1. |
ISU Office of International Studies and Programs also has scholarships available for students studying abroad. For more information, visit the Study Abroad Scholarships page: |
Exchange
Our Transcultural Nursing program welcomes visitors to our campus every year. Nursing visitors have a full schedule packed with local clinical site visits and observations, sitting in on MCN classes, learning about the American health care system, and participating in simulations in the simulation lab. These visitors also meet and socialize with MCN nursing students and faculty.
Contact
| Name | Title | Phone |
Email |
| Elizabeth Kosuth | Transcultural Coordinator | (309) 438-2039 | ehkosut@ilstu.edu |
| Susana J Calderon PhD, RN | Transcultural Faculty Advisor | (309) 438-2562 | sjcalde@ilstu.edu |