Background: Providing opportunities for undergraduate nursing students to take part in cultural immersion programs aims to offer a lived exposure to study, language training and internships with the goal of increasing knowledge, global awareness, diversity and inclusive practices. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade supports studying abroad to the Indo Pacific region via the New Colombo Plan mobility grant initiative.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore what nursing students identified as the most valuable lessons from studying abroad.

Design: An original qualitative descriptive study was conducted.

Methods: Adult undergraduate nursing students (n=10) completed an online questionnaire and semi-structured ZoomTM interview. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Three themes emerged: (i) Understanding differences, values and respect for the nursing profession in host countries, (ii) Importance of belonging and (iii) New perspectives on practices such as religion, spirituality, death and dying.

Conclusions: The value of studying abroad for undergraduate students is a unique experience that should be supported to continue as it contributes to positive professional development. Whilst challenges can be associated with studying abroad, the continuation of cultural immersion experiences will assist to develop invaluable experiences in the areas of health disparity, gaining perspective of the nursing profession at a global level, experiencing the meaning of community in an unfamiliar environment and sparking inquisitive investigation into nursing practices. Undertaking cultural immersion in the preliminary stages of professional education/training develops diversity and inclusive practices that are aimed to improve wellbeing and workforce performance when newly registered nurses gain employment in the diverse Australian workforce. Developing this valuable skill set will enable newly registered nurses to practice in a way that recognises and values differences whilst simultaneously building a sense of belongingness to assist them in meeting the needs of the communities they provide care for.