Global Experiences

Term: Spring Break
Eligibility: Undergraduate (Senior)
Course number(s): N4240s + N2798
Total credit hours: 4
Clinical hours: Up to 55 hours

Program status: March 14-22, 2026

This education abroad program to San Jose, Costa Rica will expose students to concepts of international health care and community health care. As a result of completing the coursework and the education abroad program, students will gain exposure to a healthcare system different to that of the United States; learn the healthcare needs of people in a foreign country; learn about key public health and nursing challenges in Costa Rica; and strengthen their ability to communicate and care for patients from a different culture. Students will also participate in clinical and simulation activities involving medically underserved populations.

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Term: Summer Term
Eligibility: Undergraduate (Freshman, Sophomore or Junior)
Course number(s): N3798 / GEOGRAPHY 3755
Total credit hours: 4
Clinical hours: None

Program status: TBA for 2025-26 academic year

We are proud to announce a first-of-its-kind global education partnership at Ohio State between the College of Nursing and the Department of Geography. The aim is to provide educational options that can meet curriculum needs for many undergraduates – all in beautiful Cyprus! This global learning experience allows students the opportunity to spend May 2023 in the beautiful Mediterranean and complete a four-credit general education health and wellness thematic course. We have approval to meet the theme options of sustainability and health and well-being under the new general education program structure.

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Eligibility: Participants must be current midwifery students enrolled in their second clinical semester and in good academic standing.
Clinical credit: Students will receive 40 clinical hours toward their 7288.02 course upon completion of the experience.

Through this international collaboration with Napier University, Edinburgh, students will engage in observational learning alongside UK midwives, gaining insight into the structure, philosophy and delivery of maternity care in Scotland. Activities will include shadowing midwives in hospital labor and delivery units, antenatal and postnatal clinics, and attending home visits. This experience fosters cross-cultural understanding and professional growth.

Prior to applying for a study abroad program, it’s important that you have these items:

• Study abroad program term and program ID code. You may obtain this information from the study abroad program information page.
• Your academic program information, which includes your college and major. This can be accessed through your Student Center in Buckeye Link. In the Academics section, click on "Academic Other" and select "View Academic Information."
• Your passport number. If you have not received your passport, or have not yet applied for one, you may still complete the online application, but remember that you may not participate in a study abroad program without a valid passport.

Once you have the above items, you'll need to gather the following materials:

• Your prepared personal statement (required for some experiences)
• Your Ohio State advising report saved as a PDF to attach to the application
• Emergency contact names and information
• Letter of recommendation (required for some experiences)

1. Log into Buckeye Link
2. Select Study Abroad Application from the Self Service list on the top of the page
3. Complete the:
   • Study Abroad Application form
   • Education Abroad Agreement/Release/Authorization form
   • Eligibility questionnaire
4. Upload or copy and paste your personal statement
5. Sign and submit
6. Pay the $150 application fee within three days of submitting your application*

More information about the application process is available on the Office of International Affairs website.

*The application fee will be refunded only if you are not accepted to the education abroad program or if you submit a written request to withdraw your application prior to the application deadline.

You must take two globally-focused advanced courses to fulfill this component.

• Nursing 3240: Population Health Local to Global
• Nursing 4241: Synthesis of Determinants of Health to Address Population Health Outcomes

Options to meet this requirement:

• A College of Nursing Education Abroad program
  • Nursing 3798: Sustainability in Cyprus: Health & Well-being (4 credits)
  • Nursing 4241: Synthesis of Determinants of Health to Address Population Health Outcomes
• An Ohio State sponsored Education Abroad program through the Office of International Affairs
• A local (domestic) experience with underserved vulnerable populations
• A pre-approved virtual activity
• Any course with an integrated Collaborative Online International Learning/Virtual Exchange (COIL/VE) model
• Complete the Global Engagement Certificate program
• Complete a virtual international internship (semester or summer long)
• Participate in a formal Ohio State sponsored service-learning program
• Complete an international STEP eligible programs on the Office of International Affairs platform
• International Ohio State students who have completed at least one semester of coursework abroad/in home-country may provide a reflection paper

You must complete world culture or world language coursework, totaling 3-8 credit hours.

World culture option

• Complete a minimum of three credit hours of coursework that develops a familiarity with the history, culture, government and/or economic system of a target country
• Complete any of the 2000-level or higher GE Foundations Historical and Cultural Studies World Language option

World language option:

• Complete world language courses 1101 and 1102
  OR
• Earn world language examination (EM) / transfer credit for 1101 and 1102
  OR
• Earn world language (EM) / transfer credit for 1101 and take foreign language course 1102
  OR

You may be exempted from the coursework if you have a verified proficiency in a world language

During your final semester, you must take N3431 Global Options Nursing Capstone. As part of that course you will complete a global health project and submit a comprehensive e-portfolio that documents your experience in the program.

Global health project can include:

• An international research project
• A service-learning project
• A global health internship
• Other approved global activity

Note: The e-portfolio is a retained assignment over the time you are completing the program.

Prepare yourself with the tools and knowledge to succeed in a globally connected world, even if you are working in the U.S.

You will learn about major currents of global change, compare and contrast major domestic and international issues and develop the skills needed to impact care across cultural boundaries.

Many of the courses and experiences required for the GO Nursing program are met through standard nursing curriculum components.

You will complete coursework in four categories:

• Advanced global nursing
• Global field experience
• Cultures and/or languages
• Global health activity

Any admitted undergraduate nursing student in good academic standing.