International Work Placement
An international work placement is an opportunity to work in another country from between 1, 6 and 12 weeks. These schemes are facilitated and supported by the School’s International Strategy Group. Click on each heading to find out more...
Erasmus for students
‘I feel I now have a stronger sense of empathy for people who cannot communicate due to illness or other language barriers and I feel I have returned from my experience with more confidence both personally and professionally’.
Victoria Harris on an ERASMUS Experience in Tampere, Finland.
An ERASMUS international exchange is an exciting opportunity for you to travel, to broaden your horizons, and to gain an insight into a different way of life. An exchange, consisting of a 12 week International Work Placement not only enhances personal and academic development, but can also improve your employment prospects, both in the UK and overseas.
Within the BSc (Hons) Nursing programmes at University of Salford, we can currently offer you the opportunity to complete part of your programme of study at one of our partner institutions across Europe (many of which deliver academic programmes in English). Over the last 12 years many pre-registration students have been on placements in many countries across the world including Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Cyprus, Spain, America, Ghana, Tanzania, Malawi, Australia, New Zealand, China and Canada.
An international exchange entitles you to financial support via a monthly Grant whilst you are on your overseas placement. You can also access grants which can help meet additional travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.
Who are our partners?
The School has partnership links for teaching and practice placement opportunities in Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Hungary, Spain. Slovakia, and Sweden. Adult, child and mental health experiences in hospital and community are available, but are country specific.
How long is the placement?
The Erasmus Clinical work placement is 12 weeks or 90 days in length.
How do I apply?
Melanie Stephens, the School's International Link Lead, will carry out two 45 minute presentations approximately 9 months prior to the placement dates agreed by all Programme Leaders, in which specific dates for the placement and submission of relevant documentation will be given. Any individual questions will also be answered in these sessions, and copies of the necessary forms and guidelines will be available for collection at this time.
Application is by means of a 500 word abstract with an application form and subsequent progression to a 15 minute seminar presentation on the applicant's chosen placement and preparation process.
When can I go (in the course and what time of year)?
This placement occurs in the first semester of Year 3, and depending on the number of successful applicants, an ERASMUS Grant will be awarded monthly whilst on your Erasmus Placement.
What support is available before, during and after an International placement?
Whilst out on placement the successful students will utilise Weblogs, email and telephone to remain in contact with Link Lecturers, Personal Tutors, Academic Supervisors and other students. The School also utilises Skype to allow students to also attend class, back here in Salford, however this is dependent on the module in which you are studying.
You will have support from the Lecturers and Mentors in the country in which you are visiting. Many students now travel in pairs so as to provide extra support from a familiar face.
Successful candidates will be requested to carry out a presentation, make a poster and short video blog on their return to the UK. This may occur collectively or individually, and will be delivered to the rest of your intake as a whole.
Erasmus staff mobility
ERASMUS offers many opportunities for staff mobility across Europe. Staff mobility is a key objective of the University's internationalisation strategy. Furthermore, the University of Salford is a lead UK higher education institution in terms of the number of staff participating in European staff mobility. To find out more and apply, visit the University’s ERASMUS staff mobility page.
6 week placement
An international placement opportunity exists for a total of 10 students from each diploma, 5 from each BSc intake (inclusive of Adult, Child and Mental Health Nursing) and 2 from the MA to apply for a 6 week placement outside of the United Kingdom, but not in Europe.
Who are our partners?
The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work has a link with Winona State University, Minnesota, USA. Previous students have travelled to countries with no established links such as Malawi, Ghana, Tanzania, China, New Zealand, Romania, Norway and other parts of Australia.How do I apply?
Melanie Stephens, the School's International Link Lead, will carry out two 45 minute presentations to the A and B groups approximately 9 months prior to the placement dates agreed by all Programme Leaders, in which specific dates for the placement and submission of relevant documentation will be given. Any individual questions will also be answered in these sessions, and copies of the necessary forms and guidelines will be available for collection at this time.
Application is by means of a 500 word abstract with an application form and subsequent progression to a 15 minute seminar presentation on the applicant's chosen placement and preparation process.
When can I go (in the course and what time of year)?
This placement occurs in the first semester of Year 3 for BSc and November of Year 2 on the MA.
What support is available before, during and after an International placement?
Whilst out on placement the successful students will utilise Weblogs, email and telephone to remain in contact with link lecturers, personal tutors, academic supervisors and other students. The School also utilises Skype to allow students to attend class, back here in Salford, however this is dependent on the module in which you are studying.
You will have support from the lecturers and mentors in the country in which you are visiting. Many students now travel in pairs so as to provide extra support from a familiar face.
Successful candidates will be requested to carry out a presentation, make a poster and short video blog on their return to the UK. This may occur collectively or individually, and will be delivered to the rest of your intake as a whole.
Sonnenberg
The conference is an annual event held between late October and early November, at the Internationales Haus, Sonnenberg in the North of Germany. The nearest town being St Andreasberg. The focus of the conference is ‘Health for all in the 21st century?’ and it gives the students the opportunity to explore issues with colleagues from Germany and the Netherlands. Other universities which attend the conference include Saxion in Netherlands and Munster in Germany.
How to attend
Melanie Stephens, the School's International Link Lead, will carry out two 45 minute presentations to the A and B groups approximately 9 months prior to the placement dates agreed by all Programme Leaders, in which specific dates for the placement and submission of relevant documentation will be given. Any individual questions will also be answered in these sessions, and copies of the necessary forms and guidelines will be available for collection at this time.
In April Paula Howe, Senior Lecturer will send out a reminder email to all eligible students with application forms. To attend, you can apply by submitting a 500 word abstract with an application form and then subsequently progress to a 15 minute seminar presentation on your chosen placement and preparation process.
What is the cost to students?
Successful students will be expected to make a contribution of €100.
Destination Florida
Destination Florida is a North West children’s charity that specialises in organising sunshine holidays for children to Florida, aged 7 -15 years of age, who may have missed out on holidays due to illness. The week long placement allows you to become a member of the medical team who provide medical treatment whilst the children enjoy a holiday.
When can you go?
In October / November in Year 3 of your studies, within child branch nursing.
How do I apply?
Melanie Stephens, the School's International Link Lead, will carry out two 45 minute presentations to the A and B groups approximately 9 months prior to the placement dates agreed by all Programme Leaders, in which specific dates for the placement and submission of relevant documentation will be given. Any individual questions will also be answered in these sessions, and copies of the necessary forms and guidelines will be available for collection at this time.
Angela Darvill, Senior Lecturer, will send out a reminder email to all eligible child branch students with application forms.
Application is by means of a 500 word abstract with an application form and subsequent progression to a 15 minute seminar presentation on the applicant's chosen placement and preparation process.
Funding
This is a charity that asks for volunteers, however students who are successful often offer support, organise or attend fund raising events prior to the work placement on behalf of the charity.
Other opportunities to internationalise your nursing programme
Student Life Award
For students who are unable to experience practice in another country then take an interest in volunteering as it is a great way to meet new people, develop new skills and build confidence.
We offer a wide range of organisations which can help you develop valuable employment skills & experiences. If you are registered then any volunteering you do also counts towards the Student Life Award.
Volunteering Workshops
Are you interested in volunteering and want to find out more about how you can get involved?
We hold weekly volunteering workshops to explore what volunteering is and the many benefits it has to offer.
Come along to meet some of the team in Careers and Employability and other people interested in the area.
If you are enrolled on the Student Life Award this workshop will count towards your Skills Development Sessions and if not you can take the opportunity to find out about the award.
Personal Development Planning
Another method in developing your transcultural nursing skills without having to leave Salford, is to utilize the Personal Development Plan Process.
'Personal development planning' (PDP) is a term used to describe a process designed to support you to better manage your studies, improve your career prospects and/or support your professional development.’ (UoS, 2010)
Within nursing you can utilise the PDP process to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes of nursing care of a patient or group of patients from a different culture, ethnic background or religious group from your own. The process allows you the opportunity to identify your goals, develop a plan of action, reflect on your progress and keep a record of your experiences and skills - an essential store of evidence for future job applications and a different way of internationalising your nursing programme without leaving the country.
