Zambia: Global Health Practicum

Overview

Location Lusaka & Mongu, Zambia
Arrival Date Early March, 2025 (Exact date TBD)
Teaching Dates March-April, 2025 (Exact dates TBD)
8 Credits  NRSG 439: Global Health Practicum
Eligibility Nursing students with GPA above 72% having completed Nursing 431 (further eligibility requirements listed below)
Approximate Program Fee $3,900

Application

This program is now closed for applications.

Deadline: Sept 30, 2024

About the program

UBC Okanagan undergraduate nursing students have the opportunity to work with diverse populations internationally in low- and middle-income countries. This consolidated practice experience is designed to provide opportunities for students to integrate, consolidate, and expand on concepts from previous learning. 

This practicum will be in Zambia, with a focus on community development, providing students the opportunity to gain insight into global health issues and cultural safety. 

Students choosing to participate in this practicum will work in a variety of settings, including: rural and remote community health clinics, government funded health centres, school and university settings, and a number of non-government organizations. 

International practice placements cannot be guaranteed. If circumstances or political situations change, the experience may be cancelled, or students may be called back from the experience. If this occurred, you would complete NRSG 434 in Canada and we would do our best to fully refund you of your program fee. 

Eligibility and prerequisites

Review the out of region practice placement guideline (PDF). You must meet the out-of-region requirements to be considered for a Global Health placement. In addition, the following requirements must be met:

  • Students in good academic standing that have successfully completed Nursing 431.
  • Membership and evidence of participation in the Global Nursing Citizens club.
  • GPA above 72%.
  • Consistent satisfactory practice in all domains on midterm and final practice evaluations.
  • Exemplary attendance record in practice courses.
  • No records of unprofessional conduct.
  • Proof of current CPR.

Course prerequisites: All of NRSG 421, NRSG 422, NRSG 429, NRSG 432, and approval of application

If you have any questions about eligibility email Sheila Epp from the School of Nursing (sheila.epp@ubc.ca).

Coursework

NRSG 439 (8): Global Health Practicum

Advanced practicum provides opportunities to engage in an immersive global health experience in a variety of settings. Students will practice in collaboration with global health partners. The focus is on application of global health and cultural safety competencies. Pass/Fail.

Timeline

The general timeline for this four-week practice placement is late March and April 2025. 

Departure date: Early March, 2025

In-country: March – April, 2025 (Exact dates TBD)

WEEK ONE (Canada): 

Mandatory preparatory pre-departure seminars. 

WEEK TWO (travel time):  

Travel to Lusaka, Zambia by plane and then bus to Mongu, Zambia. You will have a couple of days to settle in and have some in-country seminars. 

WEEK THREE TO SIX (Zambia):

Practicum begins. Students will be rotated through various settings throughout the four weeks in the country. 

WEEK SEVEN (Zambia/travel):

Debriefing and travel back to Lusaka or Livingstone to make our way home. Students may continue with personal travel following completion of the practicum in the country. 

Program Fees

The 2025 Program Fee is estimated to be $3,900 and the final fee is dependent on the number of students in the program.

Included in program fee Not included in program fee
  • Accommodations
  • Transportation from Lusaka-Mongu return
  • Student indexing and practice fees
  • Some group meals
  • Guest lectures
  • Go Global fee
  • Flight
  • UBC tuition
  • Meals
  • Health insurance (most students will be covered by their UBCO insurance)
  • Immunizations (if necessary) and required travel medications
  • Personal spending money for communications, snacks, souvenirs, etc.
  • Tourist expenses*

* some students plan to travel to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) or on Safari (Botswana) following the placement. Please factor these into your budget planning.

AWARD

Every student accepted into this program will receive a $1,000 Global Seminar Award. This will be distributed to students in February 2025.