Cultural variation influences on the learning experience of international nursing students

Abstract

Background Through their perspectives, various scholars have explored the academic and social challenges foreigner students face in their experience of learning. Understanding the positive impacts and the challenges of international nursing students can lead to a greater awareness of the obstacles and benefits that come from their scholarship experience. The current study aimed to recognize perspectives of Nigerian students about the influences of cultural variation on their learning process, and rating the students’ satisfaction with the nursing scholarship experience. Method Both descriptive exploratory and grounded theory research designs were utilized to conduct the quantitative and qualitative parts of this study respectively. The study was conducted in the Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt. A purposive sample of all (n=51) first year Nigerian students who registered at the academic year 2013–2014 2nd semester and studying the course of research methodology-credit hours system were requested to participate in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Tools of data collection were included; self-administered, and semi-structured interview questionnaire, in addition to four points of Likert scale. Results The study results revealed that communication barrier, combined use of local language, and different language barrier were cited by around three quarters of Nigerian students as cultural variation related obstacles that influenced teaching process as well as students’ learning. However, less than half of Nigerian students considered know about different cultural background as a motive in their process of learning. Conclusion This study concluded that, cultural variation has both positive and negative influences on Nigerian nursing students’ learning experience. It is recommended that, recognition of Nigerian nursing students’ perspectives are needed to support their scholarship learning experience in a new environment of different culture.