International Programs
In an increasingly interconnected world, the Connell School is committed to fostering global citizens who use their knowledge in service to others. This commitment lies at the core of CSON’s approach to education, enhanced by seven international programs, and the opportunity for undergraduates to study abroad.
Opportunity to Study Abroad
Undergraduate nursing students are encouraged to study abroad during their junior year. Indeed, 34% of students do so each year.
International Programs and Opportunities
These seven international programs give students the chance to gain a greater understanding of global issues and the diversity of health care needs. Participation in many of these programs can count toward course credit for undergraduate students and nurse practitioner supervised hours for graduate students.
Many of CSON's international programs travel to primarily Spanish-speaking locations. CSON offers opportunities for students to take online courses to improve their medical Spanish. These programs are also ideal for undergraduate students minoring in Hispanic Studies.
International programs are supported by the Weiss Family Foundation, the Countess Moira Charitable Foundation, and the Flatley Family Foundation.
Undergraduate students have the opportunity to travel to Santiago, Chile, in a three-week-long program in January. Students take courses at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and participate in a student run interdisciplinary educational experience where they travel to rural areas outside of Santiago and deliver health care and education to indigenous people.
All students are eligible to participate in this outreach program just outside of San Pedro de Macorís. Students in the nurse practitioner program provide direct care to patients, satisfying a portion of their clinical hours. Through home visits and teaching projects to educate the local communities, undergraduates satisfy their community health rotation requirement.
In this semester-long program, students take classes at Universidad San Francisco de Quito and complete their community health nursing clinical courses by providing care for rural populations. Students hone their Spanish language skills through a full immersion program, taking classes in both Spanish and English and living with host families.
Global Health Perspectives is an immersive, month-long summer experience in Quito that focuses on an in-depth, interdisciplinary exploration of comparative health policy.
Studying in Ecuador
This weeklong community health mission trip occurs in January. Undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni provide care to adults and children in Leogane, in remote villages, and in orphanages. Students receive credit toward their community health course, and NPs receive patient care hours toward certification.
CSON students in Haiti
Each spring, select CSON undergraduates travel with the Order of Malta to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, a sacred place visited by millions of people annually. In a truly interdisciplinary experience, students work alongside physicians and nurses to help care for ill patients and their families who are making the pilgrimage to the Grotto of Massabielle in search of inspiration and healing. Through generous donations, students from the Connell School of Nursing have had the opportunity to visit Lourdes each spring since 2007.
Through the Connell School’s oldest standing service trip, undergraduate and graduate students travel to one of the poorest communities in Nicaragua. Under faculty supervision, graduate students provide primary care and undergraduate students provide health services and education. Students also learn about the Nicaraguan health care, culture, and political systems through a collaboration with Augsburg College's Center for Global Education and Experience.
CSON students in Nicaragua
This four-week summer interdisciplinary elective brings together students and faculty from Boston College and Switzerland to examine issues at the forefront of global health. The curriculum focuses on social justice and exploring global health perspectives through a public health lens. The host location rotates each year between BC's Chestnut Hill Campus and Lausanne, Switzerland.
“The different cultural perspectives helped broaden our attitudes, values, and beliefs. The cultural competency we gained from our trip can be applied in nursing care and in our everyday lives. This experience abroad exceeded our expectations and promoted growth in our educational and personal development. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. ”