Decolonizing study-abroad programs in nursing in low- and middle-income countries

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Nursing Education
• Cultural Competency

Background:

• Study abroad programs offer exposure to diverse settings and cultures for nursing scholars.
• Global health initiatives can be influenced by colonial practices, potentially harming host communities.
• There's a need to address unacknowledged privileges and colonial impacts in international health education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reflect on lessons learned from study abroad experiences.
• To propose strategies for decolonizing global health practices.
• To promote cultural safety and humility in international collaborations.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative case study approach.
• Virtual discussions among authors reviewing study abroad programs.
• Reflective analysis of shared experiences and observations.

Main Results:

• Study abroad provides growth opportunities but risks causing harm due to unacknowledged privilege and colonial legacies.
• Lack of understanding regarding colonialism's impact can lead to inequitable relationships with local providers.
• Recognizing and addressing visiting scholars' privileges is crucial for positive international experiences.

Conclusions:

• Decolonizing global health education requires critical self-reflection on privilege and power dynamics.
• Strategies for cultural safety and humility are essential for ethical international nursing practice.
• Equitable and respectful global health partnerships necessitate understanding and mitigating colonial influences.