Student international learning experiences in Cebu, Philippines

Background: Universities are increasingly exploring international placements
and learning experiences for paramedicine students. This has given rise to
questions about the quality of student experiences overseas within the paramedic
curriculum and how useful they are. Aim: This study investigates whether a
university-organised overseas trip provided a useful clinical and cultural learning
experience for undergraduate paramedicine students. Methods: A 60-question
survey was administered, with questions focusing chiefly on clinical and cultural
experiences during the overseas trip. Statistical software was used to analyse
continuous and categorical survey data. Findings: This international trip appears
to have provided useful cultural but suboptimal clinical learning experiences,
despite participants' involvement in childbirth, emergency room presentations and blood draws. Conclusions: The different practice settings and cultural elements of the trip provided valuable learning experiences. A validated survey that would allow universities to evaluate and better understand the dimensions of quality in overseas paramedic student placements should be developed.