Thailand Study Abroad
August 2025 - January 2026
Description
In January 2026, I participated in a two-week study abroad experience in Saraburi, Thailand, as one of 24 University of Cincinnati College of Nursing seniors selected to complete our Community Health/Population clinical rotation at Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Saraburi. Over the course of the program, I completed 84 hours of immersive, community-based clinical learning that extended the nursing process far beyond the classroom and bedside.
Working alongside Thai nursing students, we conducted home health assessments, synthesized our findings, and developed culturally responsive interventions aimed at improving patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life. Our clinical experiences also included wellness assessments at a local elementary school, such as height, weight, and vision screenings, as well as facilitating interactive health education sessions on oral hygiene, pedestrian safety, basic first aid, and adolescent development. Additionally, we prepared and delivered health education for factory workers focused on preventing non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, COPD, and Type 2 diabetes.
We also visited Saraburi Hospital, where we distributed toys to children in the pediatric ICU and learned about the hospital’s continuity of care office, which plays a critical role in supporting patients’ rehabilitation and care following discharge from acute settings. Complementing our clinical work, we attended lectures on occupational health, developed nursing interventions tailored to various industries, and examined Thailand’s public health policies, with particular emphasis on primary prevention and community-based care.
Reflection
This experience was one of the most rewarding and affirming moments of my academic and professional journey. Practicing nursing in a global context challenged me to think critically, adapt quickly, and approach care with cultural humility. Collaborating with Thai nursing students deepened my appreciation for shared knowledge and demonstrated that, despite differences in language or healthcare systems, the core values of nursing remain universal.
Immersion in Thailand’s healthcare model, particularly its universal coverage and strong emphasis on prevention, pushed me to reflect on the strengths and limitations of the U.S. healthcare system. Witnessing how intentional investment in public health can reduce illness and hospitalization reshaped how I understand population health and reinforced the importance of upstream, community-centered interventions.
Impact
This study abroad experience reaffirmed why I chose nursing as my profession. It strengthened my clinical skills, expanded my global perspective, and reminded me that compassionate, dignified, and equitable care transcends culture and geography. The knowledge I gained, the relationships I built, and the perspective I developed will continue to shape my approach to patient care as I transition into professional practice as a registered nurse.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn within a global community of nurses and to be part of a profession rooted in service, empathy, and advocacy. This experience has left a lasting impact on who I am as a clinician and as a person—one I will carry forward wherever my nursing journey leads.
