[Faculty of Global Nursing] International Global Nursing Practicum III held at the University of Da Nang in Vietnam

For five days from November 24th to 28th, ten third-year students from Faculty of Global Nursing participated in the "International Global Nursing Practicum III" at Da Nang University in Vietnam. The purpose of the program was to deepen understanding of diversity and consider nursing that is in line with each culture.

On the first day of the internship, each student introduced themselves in English and then took part in a campus tour led by students who visited our university in June. They then participated in an anatomy class taught by medical students, observing cell movement under a microscope. They also attended a lecture on non-communicable diseases with local students, and participated in group work and presentations on the differences in disease and causes of death between Japan and Vietnam.

On the second day, the students visited Da Nang University Hospital and participated in a practical training session with local students, observing their nursing techniques. Our students also took blood pressure measurements, which gave them an opportunity to learn about the difficulties of providing care to people who speak different languages.

On the third day, the students participated in a practical training session on early childhood mental health education at a public kindergarten. Together with local students, they taught children how to express their emotions through song and dance, deepening their interactions with the children. They also participated in an international cultural exchange event hosted by the Student Affairs Department of Da Nang University, where they watched the students perform the song and dance "Hello Vietnam," further learning about Vietnamese culture and the values of its people.

On the fourth day, the students conducted a practical training session at Da Nang University, and on the fifth and final day, they gave a presentation in English on what they had learned in the training to Dean at Da Nang University.
Before participating in the internship, the students received guidance on crisis management and cross-cultural understanding, among other things, and made thorough preparations for their trip, allowing them to complete the one-week internship without incident.

Here are some comments from participants of the training.
・Through my internship in Vietnam, I was able to experience firsthand the differences in medical systems and cultures and learn a lot. While visiting hospitals and schools, I was impressed by how they were providing high-quality care while making efforts to do so despite limited resources. Furthermore, my own values were broadened through the warmth of the local people and the interactions with other students. I would like to continue providing nursing while respecting people's values and cultures. (Harada, 3rd year student)

・Through the international Global Nursing training, I was able to learn that there are differences in culture, values, and nursing methods between countries. By actually visiting a hospital, I was able to experience the differences between Vietnam and Japan, and also understand that the history and social structure behind them affect nursing. When I interact with patients, I want to make sure that I not only provide medical care, but also understand and respect their culture and values. (Ma, 3rd year student)

・During my internship in Vietnam, I was able to experience a warm medical culture that values patients and their families, and think deeply about how to provide support. I also learned that learning about the local history and culture leads to an attitude of mutual acceptance rather than rejecting differences in values. Learning about the differences with Japan broadened my perspective on nursing, and I learned the importance of respecting diverse values. I would like to use what I learned this time in my future internships and clinical practice, and practice nursing that respects diverse cultures and values. (Kinoshita, 3rd year student)

(Source: Faculty of Global Nursing)