Host Organizations' Perspectives of Partnered Global Study-Abroad Programs
Abstract
Background: The relationships between sending and host partners in nursing study-abroad programs are crucial to the success and sustainability of these programs. Yet, there has been a paucity of research focused on the global partnerships between sending and host organizations. Most research about study-abroad programs has primarily focused on Global North sending organizations’ perspectives on the educational, social, and career benefits to Global North students with few studies highlighting the perspectives of host organizations from the Global South.
Aim: To explore Global South host organizations’ perspectives about global partnered nursing study-abroad programs.
Research Design: This research study was guided by a critical social theory (CST) paradigm, the six Global Health Research (GHR) principles, and Situational Analysis (SA) research methods. Data was collected by conducting interviews with five participants from multiple host organizations in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi and the analysis of two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
Findings: The study identified four themes: (1) Navigating Prejudice, Pride, and Planting a Seed: Global North Students as Intermediaries; (2) Fostering Qualities of Partnership through Longevity and Sustainability; (3) Meeting Needs vs. Creating Needs: Contradictory Costs/Benefits of Global Partnerships; and (4) Working towards Reciprocal Relationships: Practices and Aspirations.
Conclusion: These findings speak to the importance of fostering long-term partnerships between sending and host partners that anticipate and proactively address resource drain and power differentials that occur at the partner, institutional, and international levels. Strategies at the institutional level, such as critical pre-departure training, inclusive and comprehensive evaluation of the partnership, and inclusion of Global South partners through research activities, as well as policy changes at the international level, can help all partners work towards more reciprocal partnerships.