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UW Nursing in Malawi

Three rows of students wearing stethoscopes are posing for the camera and showing the "finger W" in front of bushes and a mountain.

Malawi, Zomba

This summer program in Malawi seeks to explore the Malawian health care system, at all levels: community, district, and central. You will observe and discuss how health services are managed and delivered at various levels, while analyzing the complex interplay of economic, sociopolitical, and cultural factors on the health care system.  Students will participate in health care activities such as community assessment and health teaching. 

The program is designed specifically for traditional BSN students in the School of Nursing, entering their second year in the program. On this study tour of clinics, hospitals, and community health service providers, you will be exposed to how health services are administered and delivered in a local context.

Flexibility and adaptability are crucial to successful participation on this program as the program’s schedule may shift with minimal notice due to local community events (wedding, funerals, etc.) beyond the program’s control, as well as culturally differing concepts of time.

The program spends two weeks in the Zomba area of Malawi. There will also be required academic time on campus for this program both before and after the Malawi experience (one week before the departure date for Malawi, and several days during the week after the group returns from Malawi). The on-campus days are variable in terms of time commitment. A full course syllabus and schedule will be provided by the Program Leaders once the group is confirmed.

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 interrelationship 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

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Guesthouse

Program Duration

Summer: Late June - Early July

Tentative 2027 Dates:
In Malawi: June 21 - July 3
In Madison: Several days the week before departure to Malawi, and several days the week following the Malawi program

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2026 - [Suspended] 2/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2027 2/5/2027 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

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Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn 3 credits of N436. 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.

On this program, you will:

  • Visit and observe health care delivery at each level within Malawi, e.g. community, district and central.
  • Visit the local village and meet members of the community at various levels.
  • Observe, interact with, and assess children and adolescents.
  • Collaborate with Malawian health providers in the provision of education for staff and children.
  • Collaborate with Malawian providers and community members to conduct a community assessment project.
  • Identify examples of public health services and interventions (from The Public Health Intervention Wheel) being used in community health in Malawi.

Learning Objectives:

  • 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 interrelationship among individuals, families and communities as encountered in experiential practice setting.

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

Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu, PhD, RN, FAAN