Amy S. D. Lee, DNP, ARNP, WHNP-BC

Welcome!

Welcome to the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Advancement. 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.

Aimee Chism Holland, DNP, WHNP-BC, FNP-C, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Advancement

Education Abroad 2027

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 2027, please complete the survey below.  The survey opens August 31, 2026.

View our upcoming trips

Capstone College of Nursing students in front of Greece building

Athens, Greece

May 22 – 30, 2027

Join us for a medical-focused experience in Athens, Greece, where students will shadow local healthcare professionals serving refugees and vulnerable populations while gaining valuable insight into healthcare in an international setting.

Students standing in front of Thailand building

Bangkok, Thailand

May 23 – June 2, 2027

Experience the vibrant culture of Thailand while connecting with students from around the world. Engage in cross-cultural learning and collaboration while exploring healthcare, culture, and global perspectives in beautiful Bangkok.

Japanese skyline

Chiba, Japan

July 5 – 16, 2027

Join us for a transcultural exchange in beautiful Chiba, Japan, where students will immerse themselves in Japanese culture, connect with students from around the world, and explore global healthcare practices and perspectives.

Japanese skyline

Hania, Dominican Republic

May 11 – 18, 2027

Experience the Dominican Republic while serving underserved communities through meaningful healthcare and outreach opportunities. Provide care in community and plantation clinics while supporting local families through grocery delivery and community engagement.

Elephant in trees

Livingstone, Zambia

May 20 – 30, 2027

Experience the vibrant beauty of Zambia while providing meaningful medical care to underserved communities. Students will serve in three rural villages, gaining valuable experience while supporting communities with limited access to healthcare.

London, England

May 8 – 16, 2027

Join us for an enriching international experience exploring the history, culture, and education of nursing in the United Kingdom while discovering the practice, people, and stories that have helped shape our profession.

London, England – May 8 – 16, 2027 [click to view more]

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:

  • Explore the historical foundations of nursing through visits to relevant cultural and professional landmarks
  • Examine differences in nursing education and clinical practice between the United States and United Kingdom
  • Reflect on the role of culture, history, and policy in shaping healthcare delivery
  • Enhance cultural competence through structured experiences and reflective journaling
  • Engage in discussions with global health professionals to compare systems of care

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Biology with Lab (or Chemistry with Lab)
  • Compare and contrast U.S. and U.K. nursing education systems
  • Describe how policy influences healthcare delivery in the U.K.
  • Demonstrate increased cultural awareness through journaling and group reflection
  • Recognize the global nature of the nursing profession and opportunities for collaboration

Bangkok, Thailand – May 23 – June 2, 2027 [click to view more]

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:

  • Explore Thai Nursing Education and Practice
    Engage with Thai nursing students and faculty to discuss global health challenges, share perspectives, and gain insight into international approaches to care.
  • Experience the Thai Healthcare System
    Shadow healthcare professionals in clinical settings aligned with your areas of interest and observe the unique delivery of care across hospitals and community-based environments.
  • Immerse Yourself in Thai Culture
    Discover the rich traditions of Thailand through guided cultural tours, temple visits, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with elephants at a local sanctuary.

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.

Athens, Greece – May 22- 30, 2027 [click to view more]

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.

Livingstone, Zambia – May 20 – 30, 2027 [click to view more]

Faculty Director – Dr. Lauren Kyzar
Co-Faculty Director – Amber Akers

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.

Chiba, Japan – July 5 – July 16, 2027 [click to view more]

Faculty Director – Dr. Roohi Andrabi

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:

  • Spend a day in the serene Chiba countryside picking sweet corn, learning to prepare traditional Japanese cuisine, and dressing in kimonos for a ceremonial tea experience
  • Visit Tokyo on a full-day hop-on hop-off bus tour featuring iconic landmarks like the Tokyo Tower, Skytree, Imperial Palace, Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple, Shibuya Crossing, and more
  • Explore Tokyo Disneyland, the original Disney Park in Japan, for a magical day of fun

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.

Hania, Dominican Republic – May – 18, 2027 [click to view more]

Faculty Director – Dr. Linda Paradise

Experience the Dominican Republic while serving underserved communities through a variety of meaningful healthcare and outreach opportunities. Students will spend three days providing care in a community medical clinic, one day providing care at a medical clinic on a local plantation, and assist with grocery delivery to local families.