Academic Service Learning in Thailand

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Join the College of Nursing on this special experience to Chiang Klang, Thailand. A handful of students will enjoy this nursing practicum overseas.

Health disparities continue to exist among diverse groups of people in regards to health status and access to health care. It is imperative for nurses to increase their awareness of how beliefs, values, religion, language, and other cultural and socioeconomic factors influence health promotion and help-seeking behaviors. As part of the Thailand Community Health International Immersion experience, nursing students travel to Thailand and serve marginalized communities, and in the process students become academically prepared, globally minded, and equipped to serve.

Location

Chiang Klang is a district in the northern part of Nan Province, northern Thailand. Thailand is a developing country in Southeast Asia and the region's second-largest economy, known for its tropical beaches, Buddhist temples, and friendly people.

Eligibility

Students should be in their 5th semester of nursing school at the time of the experience. The application process to participate on this experience is overseen by Dr. Jeri Whitfield and Dr. Rebecca Meyer from the College of Nursing.

As part of this application process, students must also complete online forms through Terra Dotta which include signing a liability waiver and release, sharing emergency contacts, uploading travel documentation and more. Please see InsideCBU for more information.

Undergrad Academics

Enrollment in a course is required before traveling to Thailand.

For spring and summer travel to Thailand, students should register for NUR 430, Transcultural Patterns of Health. NUR 430 examines cultural nursing theories and worldviews impacting health care decisions. Through critical reflection, students will integrate knowledge of cultures and worldviews to improve their communication, minimize cultural distress, and improve practice. Potential barriers to cultural care, ethical issues, and complimentary practices will be evaluated.

For summer travel, students should register for NUR 421, Community and Public Health Nursing Clinical. While in NUR 421, students will apply community/public health course information in a variety of community-based settings. Practicum experiences will include discussion of health promotion and disease prevention, case management, community assessment, and interdisciplinary project development. This course, together with the didactic course, will prepare the student to be eligible to apply for a Public Health Certificate after graduation.

Grad Academics

Enrollment in a course is required before traveling to Thailand.

For summer travel, students should register for NUR 539, Community and Public Health Nursing Clinical. While in NUR 539, students will apply community/public health course information in a variety of community-based settings. Practicum experiences will include discussion of health promotion and disease prevention, case management, community assessment, and interdisciplinary project development. This course, together with the didactic course, will prepare the student to be eligible to apply for a Public Health Certificate after graduation.

Itineraries

Fall Travel

November 20: Leave Lax for Chiang Mai, Thailand
November 22: Arrive in Chiang Mai Thailand—check into hotel, begin cultural immersion
November 23: Travel by truck to Chiang Klang, Thailand
November 24: Worship at Local church. Language study in afternoon
November 25-27: Cultural experience in Hmong villages. Will spend at least one night in a village, the other day will go and return to Chiang Klang, Nan, Thailand
November 28: Return to Chiang Mai and check into hotel
November 29: Cultural events in Chiang Mai
November 30: Leave Thailand for return flight home

Spring Travel

March 9: Leave Lax for Chiang Mai, Thailand
March 11: Arrive in Chiang Mai Thailand—check into hotel, begin cultural immersion activities
March 12: Travel by truck to Chiang Klang, Thailand
March 13: Worship at Local church, Language study in afternoon
March 14-16: Cultural experience in Hmong villages. Will spend at least one night in a village, the other day will go and return to Chiang Klang, Nan, Thailand
March 17: Return to Chiang Mai and check into hotel
March 18: Cultural events in Chiang Mai
March 19: Leave Thailand for return flight home

Summer Travel

May 25: leave LAX and travel to Chiang Mai
May 27: arrive Chiang Mai
May 28: travel to Chiang Klang
May 29: worship at Chiang Klang church, language learning
May 30-June 3: village visits, cultural immersions, health care comparisons
June 4: free time
June 5: worship at Chiang Klang church, language learning
June 6-10: village visits, cultural immersions, health teaching
June 11: Free time
June 12: worship at Chiang Klang church
June 13-14: health teaching
June 15: travel to Chiang Mai
June 16-17: cultural activities
June 18: travel back to LAX