Three nursing students, who have been participating in an international project, say the knowledge and experience they’ve gained has been a major boost in preparing for their careers.
Molefi Shebi, Shihaam Barnes and Philicia Bloem from CPUT’s Western Cape College of Nursing spent two weeks in Europe where they visited the Karel de Grote Hogeschool in Antwerp, Belgium and Avans University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.
CPUT has teamed up with three European universities of applied science and two South African research universities for the new project, which is focused on the fields of healthcare and welfare.
Called the Caring Society (CASO) 3.0 consortium, the six participating partners have received a grant of more than €800 000 from the European Union’s Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the field of Higher Education programme to help them achieve their goals.
At a recent forum meeting of College Principals and Academic Staff, which was held at the Bellville Campus, the three students were given an opportunity to reflect on their experience.
Barnes said that, among other things, the students attended an interprofessional collaboration in healthcare project while in Belgium.
“The experience was quite intense. We learnt a lot about working as a team while making your patient the centre of your care.”
Shebi said the experience helped to sharpen his communication skills and helped him to grow as a person and a professional.
Bloem said this experience was “truly out of this world”.
“We not only learnt a lot about our profession, but we also got to know different cultures, different histories and people. Being able to bring awareness to the different programmes that we could bring to South Africa and implement into our nursing education, is such an honour and we are happy to share this experience and all that CASO brings to the table.”
For more information on the project go to: http://www.caringsociety.eu/
Written by Ilse Fredericks
