Global Health Immersions

A nursing student is surprised by an elephant giving him a hug with its trunk during the immersion program in Thailand

Expect the Unexpected

School of Nursing students gain hands-on nursing practice and research experience in global settings with diverse individuals, families, communities, and health systems. They explore social justice, planetary health, culturally congruent care, and ethics in a whole new way. Our programs collaborate with on and off campus partners to help build students' interprofessional practice skills both locally and internationally.

Domestic Immersions

OB Immersion

Explore OB nursing in Wisconsin’s largest birth center! This summer immersion offers hands-on experience in labor & delivery, NICU, and more—plus 3 credits toward N436. Learn from nurses, advocate for patients, and dive into women’s health care.

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Nursing students in blue scrubs strap an infant medical mannequin into a car seat.

Ho-Chunk House of Wellness Immersion

Join a 4-week rural immersion in Baraboo & Sauk County! Partner with the Ho-Chunk Nation, explore community & public health, and gain hands-on experience in clinics, wellness, EMS, and more—while learning the unique challenges of rural care.

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Nursing students pose in front of Elephant Rock at Devil's Lake State Park.

Lions Camp

Spend 2 weeks at Wisconsin Lions Camp gaining hands-on experience in pediatrics and community health. Work with youth with disabilities in a fast-paced, real-world setting—managing meds, supporting care, and making a meaningful impact.

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A camp counselor wearing shorts and a t-shirt gets medication for campers.

International Immersions

Please note: The Malawi, Guatemala, and Belize immersions will not be offered for Summer 2026. Stay tuned for future updates.

Ireland Research Immersion

This study abroad experience takes place at the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Systems at University College Dublin. Students learn about evidence-based practice, the nursing research process, and Irish society and culture.

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A UW nursing student sits on cliffs overlooking the sea during the Irish immersion program. Her back is to the camera and she's making the W hand sign.

Malawi Immersion

Students in the traditional BSN program can participate in a four-week global experiential course. They'll partner with local preceptors to learn health promotion, disease prevention, environmental health, and population-centered nursing.

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Nursing students make the W hand sign while working in a refugee camp in Malawi.

Guatemala Immersion

Students in the traditional BSN program provide sustainable care responsive to the needs of the San Lucas Tolimán community. Students will experience interdisciplinary collaboration with partners in medicine, pharmacy, and physical therapy.

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Beautiful lake Atitlan and volcanos in the highlands of Guatemala, Central America where San Lucas Toliman is located.

Belize DNP Immersion

Our doctor of nursing practice program partners with the School of Medicine and Public Health’s physician assistant program. Faculty and local healthcare providers precept with students to provide care to citizens in underserved villages in Belize.

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Matt Meskan and fellow students in the Belize immersion program sit in front of a stone pyramid.

“I am forever grateful to the people of Malawi for reminding me of the importance of human connection in health care.”
Anna, Malawi Immersion Program

Global Health Certificates

UW–Madison offers two global health certificates. The School of Medicine and Public Health offers an online Graduate/Professional/Capstone Certificate in Global Health and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers an Undergraduate Certificate in Global Health.

More Global Health Resources

Additional opportunities for nursing students interested in global health issues and experiences:

International Academic Programs (IAP): IAP is the university’s comprehensive resource for academic experiences worldwide. It offers more than 200 programs in 60 countries in collaboration with academic units across campus. The School of Nursing partners with IAP to offer the summer clinical experiences and nursing research programs immersions listed above.

School of Nursing Domestic Immersions: The School of Nursing offers clinical immersion opportunities in rural Wisconsin for students in the traditional undergraduate nursing program. Learn about what is currently offered on the Rural and Global Immersion section of the student site.