title: A mixed methods evaluation of an international service learning program in the Dominican Republic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the impact of an international service learning experience (ISL) using a quantitative and qualitative approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study was used to explore the impact of an ISL experience on global awareness, professional and personal growth with 11 baccalaureate nursing students in the Dominican Republic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students participated in a three credit ISL program in the Dominican Republic which included pre- and postexperience seminars and a 2-week, on-site immersion experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  The International Education Survey (IES) was used as the quantitative measure. Content analysis of Critical Reflective Inquiry (CRI) narratives was used as the qualitative method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students reported a high overall impact (M = 5.9) using the IES with high means for the Professional Student Nurse Role (M = 6.10, SD: 0.74), Personal Development (M = 6.08, SD: 0.76), International Perspectives (M = 6.03, SD: 0.71), and a lower mean for Intellectual Development (M = 5.40, SD: 0.69). CRI narratives revealed specific areas of impact, for example, increased empathy and ability to communicate effectively with patients from life situations very different from their own.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further exploration of the usefulness of various evaluation tools and methodological designs is warranted to understand this type of pedagogy and its' impact on student learning outcomes short- and long-term.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Alicia J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Curtin
authors.forename: Diane C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schwartz-Barcott
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004293:Dominican Republic; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007393:International Educational Exchange; D007858:Learning; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: international education; international service learning; nursing education; reflection