Welcome!
Welcome to the Office of Global Initiatives and Community Partnerships. Our priority is to develop community and global partnerships designed to improve the health and wellbeing of all. Our impact in our state, the nation, and global communities is supported by robust programs and partnerships that are implemented by our faculty, students, and staff who are global leaders. On this webpage you will find information and resources related to our global initiatives and community partnerships. We look forward to supporting you.
Mercy N. Mumba, PhD, RN, FAAN
Associate Dean of Global Initiatives & Community Partnerships
Education Abroad 2026
Are you eager to explore diverse healthcare systems around the world while gaining valuable insights into their cultural contexts and the global health challenges they face? If so, Capstone College of Nursing provides a range of exciting opportunities for students to engage in international experiences. These programs not only allow you to earn college credit but also empower you to broaden your understanding of healthcare practices, immerse yourself in different cultures, and develop a global perspective on health. Join us in this enriching journey to enhance your education and grow as a future healthcare professional.
If you are interested in an Education Abroad trip for summer 2026, please complete the Qualtrics survey below. The Qualtrics will be open August 25 – September 12, 2025.
View our upcoming trips
LONDON
May 3 – 10, 2026
Join us for an enriching international experience centered on the history, culture, and education of nursing in the United Kingdom, as we explore the practice and stories that define our profession.
THAILAND
May 9 – 19, 2026
Experience the vibrant culture of Thailand while connecting with students from around the world! Join us for an exciting opportunity to engage in cross-cultural learning and collaboration.
GREECE
May 2 – 12, 2026
Join us for a medical-focused trip to Athens, Greece, where we will shadow local healthcare professionals serving refugees and vulnerable populations.
ZAMBIA
May 7 – 17, 2026
Come and experience the vibrant beauty of Zambia for a unique opportunity to provide medical care in three rural villages that need support.
CHIBA, JAPAN
July 7 – 19, 2026
Join us for a transcultural exchange in beautiful Chiba, Japan, and immerse yourself in Japanese culture while exploring global practices.
Faculty Director – Dr. Heather Cole
Co-Faculty Director – Kate McConathy
This study abroad course provides undergraduate nursing students with an immersive international experience focusing on the history, culture, education, and practice of nursing in the United Kingdom. Through site visits, guided tours, and dialogue with U.K. nursing faculty and healthcare professionals, students will gain a broader understanding of healthcare systems and global nursing practice.
Course Objectives:
Student Learning Outcomes:
Faculty Director – Dr. Kayla Lucena-Glass
Co-Faculty Director – Dr. Lee Bratcher
Join us for an unforgettable study abroad opportunity that connects students from the United States and Thailand through meaningful cross-cultural learning and collaboration. This immersive program offers students the chance to:
Course Objectives:
Don’t miss this chance to expand your global perspective, strengthen your cultural competence, and contribute to a shared vision of improved international health outcomes.
Faculty Director – Dr. Carrie Henry
Co-Faculty Director – Dr. Alyssa Jones
The Capstone College of Nursing at The University of Alabama is proud to announce the 2026 Medical Ministry Trip to Athens, Greece, in partnership with Global Brigades and hosted by Kambia. This immersive, service-based opportunity is open to lower division, upper division, and graduate nursing students and reflects CCN’s commitment to preparing competent, compassionate nurses who lead with purpose in diverse care settings.
Through Kambia’s Applied Nursing Studies in Migrant and Refugee Populations program, students will shadow local medical professionals in a primary healthcare clinic that serves refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable populations in Athens. Clinic sessions will include pediatrics, gynecology, and ophthalmology. In addition to direct clinical observation and engagement, students will facilitate a health education workshop at a local shelter, helping to promote community well-being through accessible and relevant health education.
The experience also includes academic content on the cultural and historical context of the European refugee crisis, and integrates cultural competence as a core learning objective. The experience supports CCN’s mission to improve health and well-being on a global scale and offers students a meaningful opportunity to lead, serve, and grow, both professionally and personally.
Faculty Director – Dr. Lauren Kyzar
Co-Faculty Director – Dr. Mahalia Barrow
Join us for the adventure of a lifetime on a study abroad trip to Livingstone, Zambia! This unique opportunity invites nursing students to step beyond the classroom and into the heart of Africa, where compassion meets culture. Over the course of our journey, we’ll provide medical care in three rural villages, offering vital services to communities in need. For four unforgettable days, students will work alongside local healthcare providers in busy village clinics — gaining invaluable hands-on experience while making a lasting impact.
But it’s not all work in Zambia — we believe in working hard and playing even harder! When the clinical days are done, we’ll immerse ourselves in the natural beauty and culture of southern Africa. Stand in awe of the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and feel the rush of adventure on an authentic African safari. As the sun sets, we’ll gather for a river cruise along the iconic Zambezi River, sharing stories, laughter, and unforgettable memories. This trip promises to be more than a study abroad experience — it’s a life-changing journey of service learning, and adventure.
Faculty Director – Dr. Congraleatha Payne
Co-Faculty Director – Dr. Linda Paradise
Join Capstone College of Nursing on an unforgettable 10-day transcultural nursing exchange in beautiful Chiba, Japan, the gateway to Tokyo and home of Tokyo Disneyland. Through our partnership with Chiba University School of Nursing, students will immerse themselves in Japanese culture while exploring global nursing practices.
Participants will attend classes, engage in clinical simulations, and participate in hospital and community health experiences alongside Japanese nursing students. The program also offers the opportunity to compare nursing curricula, deepen cultural understanding, the Japanese Healthcare system and build lifelong friendships.
But it’s not all classrooms and clinics. Students will:
The BMX/COIL exchange program is part of a longstanding reciprocal partnership. CCN hosts Chiba University nursing students each spring, and approved CCN students will experience Japan the following summer.
This once in a lifetime program blends academic excellence, cultural discovery, and international friendship. Don’t miss your chance to broaden your global nursing perspective in one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally rich destinations.
