WSU nursing students gain global health perspective in zambia

Led by Teaching Assistant Professor Rosana Brooks, WSU College of Nursing students spent part of June in Zambia for a study abroad experience focused on global health, nursing practice, cultural learning and community connection.

The trip began with orientation at Kafakumba Training Center, where students prepared for clinical experiences, village visits and school health education. From there, the group visited Roan Antelope General Hospital in Luanshya, where students toured emergency, pediatric, NICU, maternity and medical-surgical wards. The experience offered a close look at health care delivery, childbirth, sanitation, transportation barriers, patient privacy and resource limitations in a Zambian hospital setting. Students also spent time at Fisenge Village Clinic, where they witnessed childbirth, supported clinical learning, and provided health education at a local school. At Kafakumba Clinic, they observed community health activities, including wellness visits, vaccines, malaria testing and maternity care.

Beyond clinical learning, the group visited Baluba Village, local markets, Nsobe Game Camp, Lake Kashiba, and Livingstone. In one student’s final blog, “Our Last Days in Zambia,” the student described the group’s closing days in Livingstone, where students explored the city, hiked, and reflected on the end of their time abroad.

By the end of the trip, students described the experience as meaningful and memorable. Their reflections showed how study abroad can deepen nursing education by connecting classroom learning with real-world health care, cultural humility, and global perspective.