Studying abroad

I had the opportunity to undertake my placement in Canada, at Montfort Hospital, in the A&E department. This experience was particularly enriching, as it allowed me to discover a healthcare system different from the one I was familiar with, whilst immersing myself in a new culture. On a personal level, this placement helped me to become more independent, gain confidence and improve my ability to adapt. Professionally, I was able to develop new skills, broaden my knowledge and discover different healthcare practices.

This experience abroad was highly formative and will remain a defining moment in my career.

I believe that an international placement, wherever the destination, is a unique opportunity to be seized, both for personal enrichment and professional development.

Sofaïa

During the autumn of 2025, we had the opportunity to undertake a work placement in Brussels, from October to December, at two social and healthcare centres for people with addictions: the MASS and the Lama Project.

We spent most of our placement at these facilities, where we took part in nursing assessments, the distribution of harm-reduction materials and the provision of substitution treatments.

This experience also allowed us to discover other aspects of nursing work in the fields of addiction and harm reduction. In particular, we accompanied a nurse on a visit to a prison, took part in outreach work on the streets, visited drug consumption rooms and attended several conferences.

Beyond the professional aspect, this placement was an extremely enriching personal experience. We were made to feel very welcome by the Belgian teams, who were always kind and approachable. We felt safe throughout our stay and really appreciated the quality of life in Brussels.

Being able to walk to our placement locations was a real bonus, allowing us to unwind after our working days.

We also made the most of the city’s cultural and culinary offerings. Finding accommodation, however, proved to be a challenge, as flats were relatively expensive and sometimes difficult to find.

We have fond memories of this experience, both professionally and personally, and we strongly encourage students to seize the opportunity to undertake an internship abroad.

Amélie

I had the opportunity to undertake my overseas placement in the autumn of 2025 in Senegal, within the paediatric intensive care unit at the Cheikh Ahmadoul Khadim National Hospital in Touba.

This experience was particularly enriching, both professionally and personally. I discovered a healthcare system that differs from the one we are familiar with in Switzerland and was confronted with conditions that are rare in our context, such as severe malaria, sickle cell anaemia and severe acute malnutrition. Working in an environment where resources are sometimes limited taught me to develop my ability to adapt, my creativity and my capacity to prioritise care.

Beyond the clinical learning, this placement allowed me to experience a profound cultural immersion. I was struck by the warm welcome from the local people, the solidarity amongst the healthcare teams and the human values that are central to patient care. This experience has strengthened my open-mindedness, my humility and my confidence as a future healthcare professional.

I highly recommend this experience to students who wish to step outside their comfort zone, discover different realities of healthcare and embark on an unforgettable human adventure.

Michel

Going to Tahiti for an internship abroad was a truly extraordinary experience for me.

This opportunity allowed me to discover a different culture and develop a particularly enriching cross-cultural perspective.

Undertaking this international work placement also gave me the chance to learn new treatment techniques and deepen my knowledge of various tropical diseases, which are still rarely encountered and little known in our part of the world.

Aurélie

Summer schools enable students from all universities of applied sciences in Vaud to:

• Learn about different working methods

• Discover a foreign culture

• Build an international personal network

• Learn to interact in a different professional context

• Develop skills for travelling on business

• Build communication skills in a new environment.

Completion of a summer university programme earns ECTS credits.

Teachers can also benefit from taking part in a summer school. This allows them to try out new teaching methods by delivering lessons in collaboration with colleagues from other countries.

• Be enrolled at a nursing college in the Canton of Vaud

• Submit a well-supported personal statement

• Have a sufficient level of English, as English is the language used during the SU.

The number of places available varies and the admission requirements are set for each programme.

The exchange lasts for two to three weeks. The programme is developed jointly by the partners and focuses on current issues in nursing.

These sessions are packed with educational activities, as well as recreational ones. The programme includes lessons, workshops, seminars and visits to healthcare facilities, as well as a range of leisure activities designed to strengthen the bonds between participants and to help them discover the cultural heritage of the host country.