Nursing Study Abroad: The Use of Third-Party Service Providers

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a global health nursing experience. A group of 12 students, along with one faculty member, of a public college's nursing program completed an 8-day trip focused on nursing in the Dominican Republic. The trip used a for-profit third-party provider, and it was hosted by a non-governmental organization. Reflective surveys were completed by students and faculty, evaluating various aspects of the trip, including preparation, lodging, and overall educational experience. The survey results indicated overall satisfaction but also included areas of dissatisfaction with organizational aspects. While third-party providers may add convenience to the planning stages of a study-abroad program there may be a loss in terms of quality of education provided.