DOHA: Nursing students Carlien Oberholster and Diariatou Lassana Gassama from University of Calgary in Qatar are the first two UCQ exchange students to complete the final clinical practicum in Calgary.
They spent five weeks, immersed in Canadian healthcare and Calgary culture.
“As the only international branch campus of the University of Calgary, the connection between Canada and Qatar is strong. We educate our nursing students to the same high standards as those in Faculty of Nursing in Calgary.
“Obtaining clinical placements in Calgary for UCQ students we send there through our exchange programme is a vital part of the professional and educational relationship between our two campuses,” said Dr Kim Critchley, UCQ Dean and CEO.
“I am pleased to see these two students participate in our first practicum in Canada,” said UCQ Student Services Director, Justin Williams.
“Thanks to strong support from our home campus, they have had an amazing learning experience.”
“This has been the best clinical trip,” Carlien said, adding it had been an academic expedition and a vacation.
“I have been on Unit 54 at Calgary Foothills Hospital and learned a lot, but I have also been to the mountains, the Calgary zoo three times, and went to a music concert: I know the Calgary transit system very well now!”
Diariatou said she found her educational experience better than she expected, but the Canadian weather a little challenging.
“Learning first-hand about the Canadian medical system was very informative for the work I will do as a nurse in Qatar. But I have never seen snow before. In Qatar, we find 20 above zero to be cool, but 20 below zero is too cold!”
Both got a taste of frigid Canadian temperatures when they joined their former UCQ teacher, Instructor Emeritus Leanne Wyrostok, on a trip to the Rocky Mountains.
Both completed the requirements of their Bachelor of Nursing degrees and will have their convocation in 2015.
Based on their experience, UCQ plans to expand student exchange practicums between the two campuses.The Peninsula
