College students should have a variety of diverse cultural experiences during their education. There is a growing trend to develop study abroad (SA) experiences specifically for baccalaureate nursing students to enhance cultural learning and competence (Browne et al., 2015; Kelleher, 2013). SA experiences support the development of positive personal, academic, and professional growth (Trapani & Cassar, 2020). Adding simulation to SA exchanges is an innovative way to support diverse cultural experiences and experiential learning for undergraduate nursing students. While there are unique challenges to adding simulation to any cross-cultural SA exchange, evidence supports specific strategies to overcome the challenges. These strategies should accompany the planning and implementation of any cross-cultural simulation experience: (a) determine readiness to plan a cross-cultural simulation experience during SA exchanges, (b) develop realistic learning outcomes, (c) develop distance collaboration techniques, (d) determine methods to manage any language barriers, (e) assess assumptions that may exist for those planning the exchange, (f) determine if translation is necessary during the simulation and/or during debriefing, (g) mentor faculty who may have less experience in the pedagogy of simulation, (h) overcome costs associated with travel and inherent in simulated experiences, and (i) promote a bond between students from both cultures (Kessler & Kost, 2021). By developing a plan based on anticipated needs and potential limitations, cross-cultural simulations can be planned successfully to meet educational outcomes. In fact, confidence to effectively manage patients experiencing chest pain and the ability to achieve a successful birth outcome can significantly improve from pre-simulation to post-simulation in students who participate in a cross-cultural experience. It is hoped that other faculty and universities will consider the development of and support cross-cultural simulation during SA exchanges. These exchanges can enhance learning in diverse cultural experiences and promote collaborations between faculty and institutions of higher education globally.

Dr. Kessler, Professor and Kreft Endowed Chair, teaches undergraduate and graduate students in nursing and public health. She is certified as an Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, is a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League of Nursing, and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. Her areas of expertise are adult health, management/leadership, and advanced practice. She has conducted a variety of research initiatives in undergraduate student populations using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Research interests include smoking and vaping abstinence and education among undergraduate college students, alcohol and binge drinking behaviors among college students, developing study abroad experiences, and cognitive appraisal of stressful events. She has presented her work at national and international conferences and is widely published in a variety of journals.