UW Ho-Chunk House of Wellness in Wisconsin

Devil's Lake bordered by lush green trees and rocky hills under an overcast sky.

USA, Baraboo

The UW Ho-Chunk House of Wellness program is a 4-week, instructor-led experiential program for UW-Madison School of Nursing (SoN) students in partnership with the Ho-Chunk Nation, the Ho-Chunk Nation’s House of Wellness, and International Academic Programs.

The School of Nursing's experiential learning experiences allow students to spend time 1:1 with preceptors or in small instructor-led groups of four students in both community and acute care settings caring for patient populations across the life span in multiple settings. This specific program takes place in and around Baraboo, WI, located an hour north of Madison.

Students will work with nurses in at least three areas including clinic, public health, and community health. Additionally, participants will shadow other specialties including optometry, dentistry, nutrition, and environmental services (which conducts water quality and mold inspection testing as well as food inspections). These areas are all housed in the Ho-Chunk House of Wellness.

The program also works with Baraboo EMS/Fire where students complete a ride-along shift or two. This allows for a discussion of the specific needs of the community as well as an opportunity to see the care and health related transportation needs in a rural area.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

Take part in providing care to individuals, families and communities, planning, prioritizing and evaluating nursing care that is consistent with clients' needs, goals, preferences and social identities.
Utilize strategies to promote social justice in health, and culturally congruent care while developing a global perspective to care-giving.
Determine collaborative approach to effectively work within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect and shared decision-making to achieve quality individual, family, community and system care.
Develop partnerships with individuals, family, community and systems in decision-making about care and planning for care.
Utilize concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention based on genetics, family history, social ecological factors, and environmental exposure.
Apply learning related to health and illness concepts, and their interrelationships among individuals, families and communities as encountered in experiential practice setting.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

In progress course pre-requisites: N323 and N326. Successful completion of both courses is required to participate in a clinical immersion.
Nursing cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
2.5 cumulative GPA
Eligibility determined by course pre-requisites
Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
Good academic and disciplinary standing
At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Nursing, Indigenous Studies

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Rented Room

Program Duration

Summer: Mid-May - Early June

Tentative 2026 Dates:
May 11: Program starts at UW-Madison
May 18-June 5: Program in Baraboo, WI

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2027

2/19/2027

Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

During the program, students can expect to be in program activities from 8am-4:30am, with some longer days (such as during EMS ride-alongs or community events). There may be weekend activities during the program, such as if the EMS shifts are scheduled on a Saturday or Sunday, or for cultural activities such as attending a powwow.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn 3 credits of N436: Health and Illness Concepts with Individuals, Families, and
Communities: Experiential Learning. N436 is a degree requirement in the Bachelor of Science-Nursing program, and as with all experiential learning courses in the BSN program, is graded Credit/No Credit.

Affiliate Institution(s)

Ho-Chunk House of Wellness Site

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents

Program Leader

Dr. Katie Collins, MS, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, FNP-BC, Clinical Associate Professor and Global Health Coordinator

Location

Located near Baraboo, WI, the Ho-Chunk House of Wellness (HOW) offers a range of services, including health maintenance exams for patients of all ages, diabetic management, chronic illness care, acute illness care, podiatry, pharmacy, and optical care. Each clinic is equipped with laboratory facilities (selective) and x-ray capability, and dental care may also be available when staffed.

For all community health experiences, nursing student participants will be provided transportation to and from patient housing in company vehicles driven by employees of Ho-Chunk HOW.

Housing

Program participants will be housed together for the duration of the program in a shared house or apartment in Baraboo, WI. Utilities will be included.

Students pay for meals out of pocket. There will be a kitchen available, so students may grocery shop and cook or choose to purchase food anywhere they want in the area.

Program Considerations

In a physical sense, the on-site experience may be very different from life on the UW campus. You may walk or take public transportation more than you are used to in Madison. The physical activity level will vary by program, but in general you should be prepared for extended periods of time walking, potentially on uneven terrain.

For many students, discovering and experiencing new foods is a part of the experience. It is important to consider any dietary restrictions, whether they are due to health conditions, religious beliefs, or individual needs, and look into whether you can get the foods you need locally.

How you identify yourself in Madison may differ from how people will view you on-site. Consider exploring our Identity Resources to reflect on how your identities may impact your experience. Students with disabilities should keep in mind that attitudes and laws related to disabilities vary by country, and these differences may impact the level of accommodation available in a particular location. More details are available on our page on Study Abroad for Students with Disabilities.

We encourage you to contact your Study Abroad Advisor and share your accommodation needs with us as early as possible. This will allow us to help you explore your options in advance.

Excursions and Activities

Students also complete a guided hike, conducted by a DNR Naturalist at Devil's Lake State Park where the Naturalist discusses the geology and various flora and fauna present at Devil's Lake.

On-Site Support

Your UW-Madison Program Leader provides on-site support for the duration of the program.

Orientation

IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study away experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online.

Prior to program start in Baraboo, at the UW-Madison Campus School of Nursing there will be an orientation covering cultural humility, as well as expectations and goals for the immersion experience.

An additional in-person orientation will take place during the first day at the House of Wellness.

Visa

No visa is required for this domestic study away program.

Getting to Your Program

You will arrange your own transportation to Baraboo, and will be given guidelines for arrival dates and times.

Additionally, students are expected to provide their own transportation outside of community health clinical hours and other program activities.

Insurance

Students are expected to maintain their usual domestic insurance coverage for the duration of this study away experience.

If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States and will remain/study in, or travel to your country of record (the location of your permanent residence), the insurance provided for you is the same as the “study away” insurance provided to U.S. citizens studying on domestic U.S. programs. You may want to explore alternative or additional international health and medical insurance that will cover your needs both while in and during any period of transit to/from your country of record. This may include participation in a national healthcare plan or coverage provided under a personal healthcare plan in your country of record. If you have questions about the coverage of the “study away” plan, please speak with your Study Abroad Advisor.

All other students participating on an international program will automatically be enrolled in Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), the university's international health, medical and repatriation insurance policy.

Program cost information includes program fees, as well as out-of-pocket expenses with notes to help explain costs. Program fees are estimated and can be adjusted at any time. Once accepted, you will receive a cost sheet that includes confirmed program fees and additional out-of-pocket expenses. "The IAP Program Fee" and all processes and policies stated on this cost sheet apply to all participants on programs managed by International Academic Programs (IAP) and in partnership with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the College of Engineering, and Wisconsin School of Business. All students participating on approved programs are all eligible to apply for scholarships administered through IAP when they meet the scholarship eligibility and selection criteria.

Summer 2026 Cost Details Summer 2027 Cost Details

Financial Aid

Sources of available funding for study abroad include scholarships, grants and loans. To increase your chances of receiving financial aid, we recommend filling out your FAFSA to begin the financial planning process early.

For detailed information on financial resources, visit our Funding Study Abroad.

Scholarships

This scholarship list includes scholarships we know are relevant to this program. It is not an exhaustive list of all available scholarship opportunities for study abroad. Although we make our best effort to ensure the list is up-to-date, this information changes frequently, and it is the responsibility of the applicant to verify information. For additional scholarship information, please visit our scholarship page.

IAP Administered
Study Abroad Scholars
Study Abroad Promise Scholarship
IAP WISc Scholarship

Returned Student Network

View the Returned Student Network to contact a returned student

Student Quotes

“Everyone was so welcoming. I didn’t feel like I was in fight-or-flight mode, and I could genuinely learn. People went above and beyond to make sure we saw and learned things. I also gained a new sense of empathy and communication skills. I learned how to talk to patients, gain their trust, and understand when to press them and when not to.” -- Phurbu Bhuti

“It’s so holistic. That’s the main thing I take away from this. They take such a wide view of what is affecting someone’s health and ask how everyone can work together to improve that person’s health. They really take the time to find out what is needed for each patient.” -- Brandy Reinert

Photos

Program photo album

News

Where Culture Meets Care

How to Apply

First, make sure you have reviewed the information for Prospective Students on the IAP website.

There is also specific Academic Planning information that you should review.

Next login to the IAP Online Application.

Wondering when applications will open for this program?

View our application schedule.

After the Deadline

IAP completes a review of all applications to determine if students meet minimum eligibility requirements.

Session	Application Status
Summer 2027	Apply Now

Disclosure

Students Requiring Accommodations: Consult and register with the McBurney Disability Resource Center McBurney Services if you will need academic, housing, and/or other disability-related accommodations or services abroad.

International Students: Talk with International Student Services about your visa status and study abroad.

Military-Connected Students with Veteran’s Benefits: Talk with University Veteran Services about how your benefits can be used for study abroad.

This program is offered by International Academic Programs. We have a team that works with each program. Each member of this program team is able to help students with different kinds of questions. Visit the advising webpage to learn how to schedule an appointment.

Enrollment Manager

For questions on application advising, program eligibility, course equivalency request process, grade processing.

Matthew Geisler (matthew.geisler@wisc.edu)

Study Abroad Advisor

For questions on program experience, academics, housing, visa, health safety, student identity, funding and scholarships, returned student resources.

Lindsay Heiser Barger (Make an appointment with Lindsay Heiser Barger, or email lindsay.heiser@wisc.edu)

Financial Specialist

For questions on billing, funding and scholarships, financial policies.

Kaley Grunwald (kgrunwald@wisc.edu)

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