Goal:

The goal of the Field Period is to learn about population health in Vietnam via research and cultural immersion experience, and to provide culturally competent service in Vietnam via daily direct interaction with members of the local population.

Student’s Personal Goal: My goal is to provide myself with a full diverse cultural experience while gaining the knowledge of Vietnam’s history and current state. I hope to gain a different perspective and knowledge of the Vietnamese culture as a whole.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Gain an overview of Vietnam, including culture, history, language, geography, climate, housing, socioeconomic concerns.
  2. Understand current systems and facilities for delivery of health care in the Vietnam
  3. Understand the education and role of the professional nurse within the health care system of Vietnam
  4. Assess community resources and deficits.
  5. Identify perceived health care deficits for the population of Vietnam.
  6. Provide culturally sensitive service to select members of the Vietnamese population.
  7. Practice and develop leadership skills within the context of a cultural immersion experience in a developing country.

Learning Activities:

  1. Research the culture and history of Vietnam including health care beliefs and practices.
  2. Research possible health risks for travelers to Vietnam.
  3. Prepare for oral communication using the Vietnamese language with an interpreter.
  4. Research and explain health care resources at the local and national level.
  5. Visit health care facilities serving the population of DaNang, Vietnam.
  6. Visit and observe at local health care facility and orphanage in DaNang, Vietnam.
  7. Visit local families in their homes and assess health care issues and needs.
  8. Visit local families in their homes and learn about long term impact of war on their health.
  9. Visit the local elementary school and interact with local children in the school setting.
  10. Participate in daily discussion group with Field Period supervisor and colleagues regarding cultural immersion experience.
  11. Collaborate with colleagues to prepare written summary of findings.
  12. Maintain a Reflective Journal throughout the Field Period.

Dates: January 1 through January 17, 2020