A virtual caravan—A metaphor for home-internationalization through social media: A qualitative content analysis

BackgroundAn internationalized curriculum in nursing education was created in response to the rise of globalization and the need to provide nursing care to people of diverse cultures. Through technology, internationalization at home can facilitate intercultural experiences for more nursing students.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to explore and describe how a virtual course in intercultural communication between students of two universities, through internationalization at home, can support the development of cultural competence.DesignQualitative researchParticipantsJunior year nursing studentsMethodQualitative content analysis of transcribed written and oral presentations during a course on intercultural communication.ResultsFour major themes, which are not mutually exclusive, were identified.ConclusionThrough this intercultural experience, without leaving home, students uncovered their cultural selves and others based on their own reflective understanding and collaborative discourse with each other and the use of social media for communication. Through experiential intercultural encounters beyond textbook and online materials, they learned to appreciate each other as people with cultural differences yet with much in common, and to recognize their assumptions and the value of subtleties and nuances. They were able to explore solutions within an unfamiliar context through their own efforts and with the support of peers and teachers. This led to a deeper understanding of cultural sensitivity and competence.