The Experiences of Students of Nursing Department Studying Abroad Through the Erasmus Exchange Program: A Qualitative Study

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to determine the program-related experiences of nursing students, studying abroad through the Erasmus exchange program.
METHODS: In the study, phenomenological design from qualitative research methods was used. The sample included 10 students participating in the Erasmus exchange program during nursing undergraduate education between 2008 and 2016. The interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview form with 7 open-ended questions between November 2017 and February 2018. The analysis process included coding the data, arranging themes, and identifying and interpreting results. Nvivo 10 program was used for analysis. Necessary permissions were obtained for the study.
RESULTS: Five main themes and 50 sub-themes were reached: definition of being an Erasmus student, reasons for their selection, positive aspects, negative aspects, and contributions related to Erasmus experiences. The participants also produced 9 metaphors in animal, human, fruits, things, and process categories. The students stated that they experienced adaptation problems due to the language barriers, and they had difficulties regarding the grant and accommodation. They stated their positive experiences like professional contribution, seeing new places, and having fun.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As a result, the Erasmus exchange program was beneficial for students’ academic language improvement and knowing new cultures and countries contributed to their social life.