Study Abroad
Research and Public Health Nursing in Nicaragua
Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, is home to the Universidad Centroamericana, Latin America's first private university. Fairfield University offers nursing students two opportunities for study abroad in Nicaragua: Spring Break Immersion and Summer Session.
The Spring Break Immersion is open to nursing students who are enrolled in Public Health Nursing (NS 330). Social work students from Universidad de Centroamerica (UCA) and Fairfield University nursing students work in a small barrio in Managua, collaborating with community leaders to address health problems. This experience fulfills the required public health clinical hours for Public Health Nursing.
The Summer Session in Nicaragua is open to students who have completed their junior-level courses. Three weeks in length, the summer session includes the public health clinical hours for Public Health Nursing (NS 330) and Research in Nursing (NS 310). During the first two weeks, students complete the clinical hours and take a daily non-credit conversational Spanish class offered by UCA faculty. At the conclusion of the clinical hours, students begin the Nursing Research course, taught by Fairfield University faculty.
Both options include multiple opportunities to experience the culture, history and natural beauty of Nicaragua, and to have significant interaction with residents of the community and UCA students.
Study abroad opportunities in Nicaragua are open to all full and part-time nursing students. Preference is given to students with intermediate-level Spanish ability (i.e., two semesters of college-level Spanish), however we encourage all nursing students to consider study abroad in Nicaragua!
Download the application instructions. If you have questions, please contact us for more information.
Summer in Italy
Many nursing students have participated in a summer study abroad program at the Florence campus. Students select courses to complete core requirements such as art and history. Visit the Study Abroad website for more information.
Ireland
Nursing students can enjoy a semester in Ireland at National University of Ireland, Galway. You will receive Fairfield credit and grades for all coursework during the spring semester of your junior year. Visit the Study Abroad website for more information.
The Nursing Semester Study Abroad Program is open to Fairfield University nursing students who have successfully completed the spring semester of the sophomore year, have an overall GPA of at least 3.0, and are recommended by their faculty advisor and dean. Students must also have a GPA of 3.0 or better in the sciences, with no repeated core science courses. In addition, students must have a minimum average grade of B- (80) in all nursing courses at the midpoint of the fall semester of junior year. Normally, a maximum of 12 students will be permitted to study abroad in any semester.