In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding and addressing global health challenges is essential for future health care professionals. To prepare students for this dynamic landscape, faculty and students from the Orvis School of Nursing are traveling to Kampot, Cambodia, this spring. During the three-week program, students will collaborate with Cambodian colleagues in emergency and internal medicine while caring for hospitalized adult patients. This immersive experience will deepen students’ understanding of global health issues and prepare them to meet the evolving health care needs of diverse communities.
Preparing future health care professionals for global challenges
Kampot, a historically rich city in southern Cambodia, faces significant health care challenges, including limited resources and a shortage of medical professionals. This provides Orvis students a unique opportunity to experience a health care system vastly different from the U.S. Students will engage with local communities, observe health care services and learn firsthand about disparities in global health care, such as access to resources, sanitation and preventive care.
A key aspect of this trip is the opportunity for students to practice cultural humility and patient-centered care internationally. Understanding cultural, social and economic factors influencing health is crucial for all health care providers. In Cambodia, students will encounter health care environments shaped by different customs, beliefs and medical practices. This immersion will equip them with the tools to adapt their care approach and broaden their perspectives on delivering compassionate health care in a globalized world.
Commitment to global health education
Additionally, the trip exemplifies the Orvis School of Nursing’s commitment to advancing global health and fostering community outreach through its Office of Global Engagement. This initiative strengthens Orvis’ reputation as a forward-thinking institution that prepares health care professionals to meet the challenges of an interconnected world. By providing students with international learning experiences, the school helps shape future nurse leaders who are skilled clinicians and informed global citizens.
The experiences gained in Cambodia will have a lasting impact on students’ careers, encouraging them to critically assess global health policies, resource distribution, and the evolving role of nurse practitioners in international health care systems. Exposure to international health care systems will inspire students to remain engaged with global health issues long after returning to the U.S. Whether working with international NGOs, offering telemedicine consultations, or advocating for global health initiatives, this trip will motivate students to pursue opportunities that make a far-reaching impact.
*Photo courtesy of Deb Shindell and Jacqueline Ferdowsali