Nursing students' learning experiences through academic mobility in Finland and Spain

Abstract

This empirical study attempts to explore experiences of undergraduate nursing students before and during international academic mobility through Erasmus+ exchange programme in Finland and Spain.

The phenomenon of globalization in the academic context increases the opportunities for sharing knowledge and innovative strategies for enhancement of connections and partnerships between academic institutions worldwide, promoting internationalization of education through academic mobility programmes. For nursing career, international education and study abroad possibilities increase the expansion of educational and professional opportunities, facilitating the development of essential competences and knowledge needed for successful healthcare interventions and interactions with an increasingly multicultural population.

The current study provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding about the main competences developed by nursing students through academic mobility in Finland and Spain. Furthermore, it facilitates a richer description of the determinant factors which hinder and facilitate exchange processes before and during mobility.

This study used the qualitative research method and was conducted in Finland and Spain. Data collected through individual, semi-structured interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis approach. There were eight participants involved in this study, whose ages ranged from nineteen to thirty years old. For comparative purposes, the sample was divided into two groups: Group 1 and Group 2. Three participants were Finnish nursing students during their academic exchange in Spain (Group 1) and five participants were Spanish nursing students before their academic exchange in Finland (Group 2). Most of the participants were females, there was only one male participant. Only two participants developed clinical practicum abroad. There was only one participant who did not complete theoretical studies abroad, but only the clinical practicum.

Five dominant themes were identified in this study: motivation, feelings and emotions, development of intercultural communication competence, development of cultural competence and development of professional competences. The results provide reflection about international experiences in nursing education and identification of important obstacles in teaching-learning processes abroad. This study offers strong support for commitment and collaboration between educational institutions to improve the mobility processes of nursing students, to overcome difficulties and barriers faced by nursing exchange students, and to enhance education for culturally competent nursing.