Students and staff from the University of Notre Dame Australia’s School of Nursing and Midwifery this week welcomed five visiting nursing students from the University of Copenhagen, providing a valuable opportunity for international collaboration, cultural exchange and professional learning.
The Danish students visited Notre Dame’s Fremantle Campus on Monday, 7 September, where they experienced a day in the life of a Notre Dame nursing student while gaining insight into the University's teaching approaches and facilities.
During their visit, the students toured the Fremantle Campus, attended a nursing tutorial, observed a practical laboratory session and met with Notre Dame nursing students and staff at a special meet-and-greet event.
The visit encouraged the exchange of ideas, perspectives and experiences across different healthcare and education systems, sparking conversations about teaching and learning, student wellbeing, clinical education and nursing practice in Australia and Denmark.
Notre Dame School of Nursing and Midwifery lecturer and coordinator Rachael Hoes said the visit demonstrated the value of international engagement in nursing education and gave students a unique opportunity to broaden their perspectives.
“The opportunity to connect with nursing students from another country provided a rich learning experience for everyone involved,” Ms Hoes said.
“Our students were able to share their experiences of studying nursing at Notre Dame while learning about nursing education and healthcare delivery in Denmark. These conversations encouraged reflection, curiosity and a greater appreciation of the global nature of healthcare.”
Ms Hoes said the visiting students embraced the opportunity to immerse themselves in campus life and were impressed by Notre Dame’s strong sense of community.
“The students from the University of Copenhagen were particularly enthusiastic about the welcoming atmosphere they encountered across our campus and the emphasis Notre Dame places on student wellbeing and support,” she said.
“Beyond the academic learning, the visit created meaningful cultural connections and highlighted how much we can learn from one another through shared experiences.”
The visit formed part of the School of Nursing and Midwifery’s commitment to fostering international partnerships and preparing future healthcare professionals to work in an increasingly interconnected world.
Ms Hoes said initiatives such as the visit help students develop a broader understanding of nursing practice beyond their own healthcare systems.
“International exchanges like this provide opportunities to share knowledge, challenge assumptions and build professional connections that can have lasting benefits throughout a nursing career,” she said.
“We are grateful to all of the staff and students who helped make the visit such a positive and memorable experience, and we look forward to strengthening our international connections and exploring future opportunities for collaboration and exchange.”
The visit highlighted the importance of global engagement in contemporary healthcare education and reinforced the School’s commitment to preparing compassionate, knowledgeable and culturally aware nursing professionals.
Media Contact: media@nd.edu.au