College of Nursing

International Programs

FAQs about International Learning Opportunities and Faculty-Led Trips


1. How can I find out about short or long-term international opportunities available through WSU or the College of Nursing?


Contact Carol Allen, International Programs Coordinator at the College of Nursing, carola@wsu.edu for information on all international opportunities and to plan for future trips. Check the International Learning Opportunities section on the College of Nursing web site regularly as all short term faculty-led trips will be listed here. For study-abroad courses during the regular semester or summer contact the Study Abroad staff at WSU International Programs.

2. Can I participate in semester long study abroad while in the nursing program?


You can do this in an English speaking country, but it requires careful early planning and often results in lengthening your time to the degree since programs cluster courses differently. If you are considering this please contact Carol Allen as soon as possible, preferably prior to entering the college of nursing.

3. Can I get credit for participating in a health care opportunity overseas with a service learning abroad program, NGO, or church group?


Undergraduate students: You may be able to get academic credit for these activities by registering for a 499 Independent Study. Careful planning is essential especially if you want to be gone for a short time during the regular semester. Please contact the international programs coordinator at least one whole semester prior to your planned participation.

Students in the RN-BSN program may be able to negotiate partial or full credit for N465 or N495 for international experiences. Talk to the faculty before you sign up for the experience to determine whether credit can be given and how much.

Graduate Students: You may be able negotiate with your faculty for clinical hours or other credit depending on the track you are enrolled in. Contact the course or lead faculty.

4. I speak only English can I still go on a short-term service learning opportunity?


Yes, most opportunities require only English. Spanish is an asset in Peru and is required for undergraduate students on the Ecuador and Honduras trips. Read information concerning the experience you wish to participate in carefully to determine language requirements.

5. I took Spanish (or another language) in high school but I am rusty and don’t know any medical terms in the language. How can I improve my language skills?


a. Take a class focusing on the language of your choice. Medical Spanish or conversational Spanish classes can often be found at the community college if there is not a WSU class you can enroll in.

b. Watch movies, listen to radio, or TV programs, and/or read magazines, books, or web sites in the language of your choice.

c. Buy a CD language program and listen while you drive.

d. Look for a conversation partner and practice together. A good source for conversation partners are ESL programs at local colleges or universities or on your WSU campus or find a student who is a native speaker and have coffee once a week.

e. Practice at every opportunity and don't worry about making mistakes. I once told my roommate who spoke only Spanish that her head was falling off!!! She laughed, I laughed and I learned.

f. Even if you are a fluent speaker you will often need a local interpreter to assist you with variations in dialect and meanings.

6. What is the average cost of a short-term learning opportunity?


Costs vary widely depending on the length of the program or trip, the location, and the food and housing costs. Transportation (airfare) is usually the greatest cost and airfares are rising. Look at the program you are most interested in for specific information, Costs for shopping, additional meals, and sightseeing side trips are additional.

7. Are there scholarships, loans or fundraising opportunities available to help with the cost?


a. You can write travel costs into your financial aid request if you plan in advance and register for at least 6 summer credits.

b. Some loans and scholarships are available through WSU International Programs as well as from various groups that sponsor international learning opportunities. We hope someday to have an ICN international Travel Scholarship.

c. Students have held garage sales, bake sales, car washes, etc to raise money. Other students have raised money through their churches. More suggestions can be found on the International Volunteer Programs Organization web site

8. What semester do I have to be in to apply for a global learning opportunity?


a. You may apply during any semester after your first semester of clinical. Graduate students and RN-BSN students may apply at any time. Trip organizers will identify the level of nursing skills required for each trip. On some trips students from a variety of program levels will be included on others only students who have completed specified courses will be able to participate.

b. We recommend that you talk to Carol Allen (carola@wsu.edu or 509-324-7262), the international programs coordinator as soon as you know you want to participate in an international experience even if you don't know which one you want to try. Early preparation helps to make a better learning experience.

9. What measures are in place to ensure my safety?


a. Faculty arranging trips consider safety when developing programs in new locations and International Programs staff closely monitor US State Department Travel Advisories and news reports prior to and during trips.

b. You are insured through WSU international programs office (this involves a fee of $125 .00 for faculty led programs). The insurance covers medical expenses and evacuation costs if needed for medical reasons. In addition International Programs registers all student/faculty travelers with the US Embassy in the destination country, and provides constant monitoring of events that might pose a risk to travelers.

c. Although all efforts are made to assure student and faculty safety, travelers are reminded that any place in the world can become unsafe due a medical or natural disaster, social unrest, or political upheaval. Every effort will be made to protect student travelers but no one can guarantee absolute safety.


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