
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.
Explore Global Health
“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
Malawi or Thailand 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.

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.

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.

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.

Student Stories
We Celebrate Global Health
Exploring the School of Nursing's outreach and immersion on a global scale.
Learning from cultural differences
Kennidy Pelnar overcame her fears about going to Malawi and made powerful connections across cultural and language barriers.
Skills to last a lifetime
Ruby Malzer shares about her transformative experience caring for mothers and newborns in a labor and delivery ward in Malawi.
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.