Academic Program

This 2 week intensive practicum provides learning opportunities for students to apply the principles of public health combined with nursing knowledge and skills to address health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and nursing management of infectious disease and chronic health conditions. Nursing activities will focus on the improvement of health outcomes at the individual, family, community and global level within the context of population-focused practice.

Students will actively engage in community assessment, community planning and community action processes in partnership with faith community and public health nurses in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Students will gain an understanding of the similarities and differences in a country and region very different from Johnson County, Iowa, and have the potential to discover the many community assets and population strengths that exist despite poverty, low literacy, and chronic health conditions such as HIV/AIDS/TB and the health consequences of hunger and water shortages. These health conditions, and the available resources to manage them, vary substantially in comparison with those experienced by populations in Iowa, where priority health problems focus on obesity, prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, for example. Students will witness how the health of the Swazi people is affected by the political climate, socioeconomic conditions, and cultural factors of their geographic region.

Although this course section will be taught in the Kingdom of Eswatini, there are community/public health nursing principles held in common with all communities in all parts of the world. Students will learn processes of community assessment, trust building and community partnerships, effective community communications, dissemination of culturally informed social marketing of public health messages and methods, mechanisms of building a coalition, methods to sustain public health efforts, and measurement of health outcomes. Students will use a Culturally Informed Community Nursing Practice Process that can be applied in the Kingdom of Eswatini, as well as across other geographic settings and cultures.

This course counts as NURS:3655 Community and Public Health Nursing Practicum

Course Objectives

During the program students will be able to:

• Use community assessment process to identify health strengths and needs of diverse populations and communities.
• Analyze impact of socioeconomic, ethical, legal, cultural, financial and political factors related to the clinical population.
• Collaborate with providers and community members in building community capacity to address health needs.
• Develop skills and strategies to plan and/or implement culturally congruent interventions that address the health needs of diverse populations and communities.
• Develop skills and strategies to evaluate the process and outcomes of interventions.

Cultural Activities

In addition to the practicum, students will visit a game reserve (included in the cost of the program).

Program Dates

Program dates vary by session. For spring 2025, students are scheduled to depart the US on March 7, 2025. Students will be in country from March 8-March 21, likely arriving back to the US on March 22.

For More Information

For more details about academic content, contact faculty director Anita Nicholson anita-nicholson@uiowa.edu or study abroad program coordinator Krista Larson .

The Kingdom of Eswatini

Despite being the smallest country in the Southern hemisphere, the Kingdom of Eswatini more than makes up for its lack of size with a hugely diverse range of attractions and activities.

As one of the few remaining Executive Monarchies in Africa, culture and heritage are deeply ingrained in all aspects of Swazi life, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all who visit. As well as the rich culture, the overwhelming friendliness of the people makes all visitors feel truly welcome and very safe. Add to that a stunning landscapes of mountains and valleys, forests and plains; plus wildlife reserves across the country that are home to The Big Five, and you have all that’s best about Africa in one small but perfectly formed and welcoming country.

Learn more about the Kingdom of Eswatini:

• National Geographic: Eswatini
• Eswatini Tourism





US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

Housing will be safe, dormitory style housing (meaning shared bedrooms and bathrooms) with chlorinated water, and food will be from grocery stores and restaurants. Internet access is available in town, but connections can be unreliable at times.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements

Students will receive instructions on making travel arrangements after the application deadline passes.

Eligibility

This program is open to UI students who fulfill the following requirements:

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA: Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA.
• Major Requirements: Participants must be nursing students in their final semester of the program.
• Good academic and disciplinary standing: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad. In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance, will not be allowed to study abroad, and are wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity: Students must meet entry requirements for the countries and venues visited by the program. Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel and demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.

Cost

The cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid and planning purposes. It includes fees charged on students’ U-Bill (course fee, Study Abroad Administrative Fee, and mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance), as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic. Please see the respective websites for further details. Contact the UI Study Abroad advisor with questions regarding the cost sheet.

The spring 2025 course sheet is posted below.

Cost Sheet Spring 2025

Key points to note are:


• The $50 application fee is applied to students' U-bills after submitting the online application.
• The billed program costs (Course Fee, Study Abroad Fee, and CISI Insurance fee) are applied to confirmed students' U-bills after registration for the course.  
• Out-of-pocket expenses will vary for each participant and are estimated on the Cost Sheet.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to apply for Need-based, Merit, and Global Access Ambassador scholarships awarded by Study Abroad. More information is available on the Scholarships page.

Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant are eligible to apply for the Gilman International Scholarship, an external scholarship awarded by the Department of State. Learn more here.

Financial aid received to attend the University of Iowa (scholarships, grants, and loans) may be applied toward the program cost. Students are encouraged to speak with someone in Financial Aid to explore financial aid options.

How to Apply



*The application will open September 13, 2024.


UI Study Abroad Application

The application process requires:
• Completing the online application demographic information and short answer questions
• Completing the statement of purpose questions (found in the application) and uploading them to the application
• Uploading a copy of the information page of your passport (if you are applying for a passport, please indicate this on the application and you can bypass this requirement temporarily)

Students who submit an application will be U-billed a $50 application fee.

IMPORTANT: Please note that this program is highly competitive and there is a possibility that some applicants may be waitlisted. We cannot guarantee placement in the program if students are waitlisted.



Application Deadline

September 27, 2024

Confirmation Materials

Students who are accepted to the spring 2025 program will be notified on October 4, 2024. Students will have until November 1, 2024 to confirm their spot on the program.

Flights

Flight information will be provided to all participants. Please keep an eye on your email for those details and do not purchase a flight before then.

Health & Safety Planning

All students preparing to study abroad should review the following:

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travelform with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Orientation

To prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course “Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation” prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

A mandatory, in-person orientation will be facilitated by the Faculty Leader and Study Abroad Coordinator before departure and will cover content specific to your program and host country.