Nursing Student Experiences Growth Through International Exchange

Queen Tayab chose to attend the University of Saskatchewan (USask) for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree because she wanted to live close to her support network in Saskatoon.

In her final year, she decided to spread her wings and chose to apply for the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility Program Scholarship and study in Finland to expand her horizons, both culturally and professionally.

She now looks back on the exchange as a life-changing experience.

“I’ve always kept my eye out for international learning opportunities, as I love to travel and learn from different places to improve the quality of my practice or for inspiration,” said Tayab.

“I thought the scholarship exchange was a good opportunity to network and connect with other likeminded people. I also heard of Finland’s renowned healthcare system and wanted to see it for myself.”

The Erasmus+ Scholarship took Tayab to study nursing at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (UAS), Finland’s largest university of applied sciences. Tayab says the best part of her study abroad experience was meeting new friends, both from Finland and also fellow exchange students from places like Africa and Sri Lanka.

Tayab says she is grateful she was given the opportunity to grow professionally, while fulfilling her love for travel. She visited 10 countries in five months, including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and Greece.

From natural landmarks like fjords in Norway and the Acropolis in Greece, to cultural elements like Sweden’s royal palaces and museums, Tayab says there was lots to see and learn about.

“I grew by learning to navigate new countries, public transportation systems, and even picking up new words in different languages,” said Tayab.

“Along the way, I reconnected with Finnish exchange student friends I had first met in Saskatoon. They showed me different parts of Helsinki and introduced me to Finnish culture.”

Tayab made the most of her time at Metropolia University, taking in as many classes and labs as she could.

“I found the learning approaches similar between Metropolia and USask, but especially enjoyed the simulation labs at Metropolia,” said Tayab.

“Metropolia had interesting technology, multiple simulation rooms, and students got to act out a wide variety of scenarios as part of the simulated learning,” said Tayab.

“I always volunteered to participate because I found it fun and engaging.”

“Immersing myself in other cultures broadened my perspective and deepened my humility, reminding me that nursing is not just about care, but about relationships and understanding,” said Tayab.

“I have to be able to pick up on cultural nuances to be able to connect and provide care, which is such a huge part of nursing. We learn a lot about cultural competency, cultural humility, and cultural safe care in theory at USask, but this exchange gave me the chance to live it out on a global scale and really see the differences, even just among fellow nursing students.”

While abroad, Tayab jumped at the opportunity to attend the 2025 International Council of Nursing Conference in Helsinki, with over 7,000 attendees from more than 130 countries.

“I found the conference incredibly inspiring,” said Tayab.

“It was amazing to see such a diverse group of nurses come together. I learned new leadership skills by observing experts in their fields and I was especially inspired to pursue research in the future. The conference theme, Nursing Power to Change the World, really highlighted the influence nurses can have when we unite globally.”

Overall, Tayab says the biggest reward of the exchange experience was personal growth.

“Navigating a new country on my own in a language I don’t speak taught me independence and adaptability. It was also a multicultural experience, from the classmates I had at Metropolia to my roommates from Belgium and Poland and the people I met during the Erasmus student network trips. We all brought different views, and I learned how to navigate challenges, including situations where our values, even in nursing care, didn’t align. I also became more aware of cultural differences in everyday interactions.”

The experience has turned Tayab into an advocate for study abroad opportunities, recommending the exchange to peers.

“I would tell any nursing student considering a study abroad experience that you get the most out of it by trying new things and not being afraid to step out of your comfort zone,” said Tayab.

“Meet new people, as they may become lifelong friends. Be open to new experiences, because each one helps you discover more about yourself and teaches you how to be comfortable in your own presence. At the same time, carry yourself as a good representative of your school and country. Being respectful and responsible ensures others can have the same life-changing opportunity.”

Tayab says the exchange has energized her to seek out more international opportunities, but also reaffirmed her appreciation of Canada.

“There is no place like home, and for me that’s where my family is. But I also carry with me the friendships and connections I made during my exchange, and I hope one day to cross paths with them again.”

Since returning to Canada, Tayab has completed her preceptorship at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon on the Intensive Care Unit and plans to prepare to write her national NCLEX licensing exam and start her nursing career.

“I’m still keeping an open mind about where I’d like to work, since I’ve had amazing experiences in my clinical rotations and could see myself thriving in different areas of nursing,” said Tayab.

“Looking further ahead, I plan to continue traveling and pursue further studies to keep expanding my knowledge and experiences.”

Both as a traveller and a nursing professional, Tayab is grateful for the international experience and looks forward to a future filled with rich experiences.

“This opportunity has inspired me to keep exploring, whether that’s through research, further studies, or future international experiences. I know this is only the beginning of my journey.”