School of Nursing: Connections

Chiang Mai University Hosts Visiting Faculty
and Three Student Scholars

Chiang Mai University in Thailand hosted Visiting Professor Basia Belza, far left, and three undergraduate students who accompanied Belza as part of the School of Nursing’s Hegyvary Citizens of the World cultural awareness program. From left to right they are Cora Espina, Nora Gant and Elizabeth Berggren.

Cross-cultural experiences are an important part of nursing education at the University of Washington. Since the Citizens of the World scholarship program was established in 1991, over 100 students have studied health care across the United States and around the world. The School is also host to many international students and visiting scholars.

Chiang Mai University in northern Thailand has enjoyed a special reciprocal relationship with the School of Nursing for many years. In July of 1999, three undergraduate students who are also Citizen of the World Scholars accompanied Dr. Basia Belza to Chiang Mai where Belza had been invited as a visiting professor in gerontological nursing.

"Our students learned first hand about the influence of religion and culture on health," explained Belza, "Students participated in visits to homes, senior centers, and Thai traditional hospitals. They also attended classes with other nursing students and lived on campus."

The three undergraduate students who accompanied Belza were Nora Jane Gant, who studied public health nursing in Thailand; Elizabeth Berggren, who explored the death and dying process related to nursing care in Thailand; and Cora Espina, who examined the AIDS crisis in Thailand and its impact on families and community.

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