Four nursing students from Sahmyook Health University in South Korea participated in a 3-week exchange program at Loma Linda University School of Nursing this past January.
The visiting students engaged in Whole Person Care training, clinical observations, simulation labs, and academic orientation sessions across multiple nursing units.
The program emphasized comparative nursing practice, allowing students to explore similarities and differences between U.S. and Korean healthcare systems.
Anne Berit Petersen, Director of the Office of Global Nursing within LLUSN said, “This visit was significant because it deepened relationships within the global Adventist nursing community in a tangible way. Hosting students from Sahmyook Health University allowed us to connect around a shared mission and philosophy of Whole Person Care, while also learning from one another’s cultural and clinical contexts.”
Participants even joined campus life and community experiences, including shared meals with LLUSN students, worship services, and cultural outings in Southern California. Administration, faculty and staff collaborated in hosting the visitors during the exchange.
One of the SHU nursing students expressed gratitude for the experience, saying, "It was especially meaningful to study spiritual care not only in theory but also by observing how it is practiced in real clinical settings. Above all, the simulation training and VR-based scenario experiences were very impressive and helped me better understand patient care in a realistic and engaging way.“
The experience was reflective of the potential that institutional partnerships can have in shaping the global perspective of our students. Dr. Petersen reflects on the ultimate impact of the visit, saying, “These kinds of exchanges foster mutual understanding, strengthen institutional ties, and create a sense of global collegiality that extends far beyond a single program.”