The benefits of virtual learning abroad programs for higher education students: A phenomenological research study.
Intercultural competencies
Interpretative phenomenological analysis
Learning abroad
Student perceptions
Journal
Nurse education today
ISSN: 1532-2793
Titre abrégé: Nurse Educ Today
Pays: Scotland
ID NLM: 8511379
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
19 Feb 2024
19 Feb 2024
Historique:
received:
18
11
2023
revised:
28
01
2024
accepted:
14
02
2024
medline:
23
2
2024
pubmed:
23
2
2024
entrez:
22
2
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Higher education institutions offer in-country learning abroad programs to provide healthcare students with the opportunity to gain the intercultural and global competencies they need to work in a globally interconnected world. During the Covid-19 pandemic, institutions offered virtual learning abroad programs as an alternative to the in-country programs, however, little is known about whether they provide comparable benefits to students. The purpose of this study was to investigate, and identify, the benefits gained by higher education healthcare students through their participation in a virtual learning abroad program. This research implemented a qualitative approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with four higher education students enrolled in the final year of their healthcare studies. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The results revealed that virtual programs provide a range of benefits students can use in their future careers. They also provide students with a positive learning experience and an opportunity for personal growth. However, although the benefits students gain from virtual learning abroad programs are similar to those they gain from in-country programs, they are not identical. While virtual learning abroad programs are a viable alternative for in-country programs and offer many benefits, they fail to replicate the intercultural and global competencies that in-country programs offer to students. This study focusses on virtual learning abroad programs and whether the benefits healthcare students gain from them are comparable to the traditional in-country programs. Students gain personal and professional benefits from these programs without the risks and costs associated with international travel. However, the identified lack of increased global awareness has implications for how the benefits of virtual learning abroad programs should be promoted to students.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Higher education institutions offer in-country learning abroad programs to provide healthcare students with the opportunity to gain the intercultural and global competencies they need to work in a globally interconnected world. During the Covid-19 pandemic, institutions offered virtual learning abroad programs as an alternative to the in-country programs, however, little is known about whether they provide comparable benefits to students.
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate, and identify, the benefits gained by higher education healthcare students through their participation in a virtual learning abroad program.
DESIGN/METHODS
METHODS
This research implemented a qualitative approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with four higher education students enrolled in the final year of their healthcare studies. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
RESULTS
RESULTS
The results revealed that virtual programs provide a range of benefits students can use in their future careers. They also provide students with a positive learning experience and an opportunity for personal growth. However, although the benefits students gain from virtual learning abroad programs are similar to those they gain from in-country programs, they are not identical. While virtual learning abroad programs are a viable alternative for in-country programs and offer many benefits, they fail to replicate the intercultural and global competencies that in-country programs offer to students.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
This study focusses on virtual learning abroad programs and whether the benefits healthcare students gain from them are comparable to the traditional in-country programs. Students gain personal and professional benefits from these programs without the risks and costs associated with international travel. However, the identified lack of increased global awareness has implications for how the benefits of virtual learning abroad programs should be promoted to students.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38387211
pii: S0260-6917(24)00043-1
doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106133
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
106133Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of competing interest The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.