Being the stranger : comparing study abroad experiences of nursing students in low and high income countries through hermeneutical phenomenology

Aim To understand the experience of American nursing students who complete a study abroad trip to a low-income country, Bangladesh, versus a high-income country, the Netherlands in the development of cultural consciousness. Methods Hermeneutic (interpretive) phenomenology was used to explore the journals of 44 students’ experiences and reflections. Results The comprehensive understanding of the naïve and structural analysis revealed that, no matter where these students travelled, they increased their cultural consciousness. Conclusions We need to revise curricula to create ‘change from the familiar’ experiences for all students (many cannot afford study abroad) to move students to cultural consciousness on their journey to cultural competency that may improve client health outcomes.