Report on the Short-Term Study Abroad Acceptance Program | Kiyoka Nozue, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care
February 25, 2025
From February 2 to 7, 2025, the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care held the "Global Leader Training and International Exchange Program for Nursing Students" (course title: "International Nursing Practice I (Domestic)") (Photo 1: Group photo). This course is a short-term study abroad acceptance program that began in 2017 and is run with the participation of many faculty and staff members under the leadership of Associate Professor Rika Fujiya. The number of participating countries and universities has been increasing each year. This year, a total of 29 nursing students participated from Fudan University (China), Eulji University (South Korea), Suffolk University (UK), the University of Washington (USA), the University of Pittsburgh (USA), the National University of Singapore, and Birzeit University (Palestine). A new participating institution, Birzeit University, is located in a conflict zone in the West Bank of the Jordan River. Three students and two faculty members traveled for two days one-way to Japan, passing through numerous checkpoints. We were extremely grateful and delighted that they were able to participate, despite the difficult circumstances, by utilizing the Keio University Future-Leading Fund, based on a long-standing connection with Dr. Fujiya. With 31 students from the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care also participating, the total number of student participants reached a record high of 60.
The program was packed with activities, including lectures by faculty members from the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care (Professor Fukahori: "The aging trend and healthcare system," Professor Sugiyama: "Global burden of disease," and Associate Professor Fujiya: "Global health nursing"), group work following the lectures, a visit to a facility for the elderly (Photo 2), a tour of Keio University Hospital (Photo 3), and final presentations from each group. Students from the seven countries introduced and deepened their understanding of each other's cultures and the current situations and challenges in health, medical care, and nursing. Additionally, students and a faculty member from Birzeit University gave a presentation on the theme of "Learning Nursing in the Difficult Circumstances of a Conflict Zone." Although I was unfortunately unable to attend, 90% of respondents to the participant survey rated it as "very good," making it the most highly evaluated part of the program. I am full of gratitude for them providing such a valuable opportunity. We also received feedback from the Birzeit University students, who said that the experience and the encouraging feedback from other participants helped them become stronger and more confident. Through this one-week program, the students recognized the current situation and challenges of health, medical care, and nursing in a global society, and they learned, thought about, and considered problem-solving on a global scale. They were also able to deepen mutual understanding and build connections through student interaction (Photo 4: Group discussion). I have high expectations that all the students will become global leaders who contribute to the well-being of people around the world in the near future.
(All photos were taken and are published with consent for public relations purposes. Please do not reproduce them.)