Aissatou Diallo
Nursing ’27
SA: University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia
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Ask Me About…
1. Navigating the rarity of participating in a full semester study abroad experience as a nursing student
2. Completing clinical rotations in a different international healthcare setting and adapting to different expectations as a student nurse
3. Balancing long clinical hours, coursework, and travel
4. Managing significant time zone differences while maintaining communication with friends and family
5. Despite Australia’s remote geographic location, traveling both domestically and internationally to Asian countries such as Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand
My Experience Abroad
When you see the world, you begin to better understand your place in it. You develop a deeper appreciation for life, gain awareness of overlooked privileges, and learn to find beauty in abrupt change, uncertainty, and spontaneity.
What I am most grateful for is how studying abroad strengthened my passion for nursing. My clinical rotations in Australia differed from mine at Penn in expectations, responsibilities, and integration within a larger interprofessional team. From my first day to my last on an orthopedic medical-surgical unit, my confidence in my abilities within my scope of practice grew tremendously. I was challenged with managing the care of 3–4 patients, utilizing critical thinking, communicating and documenting vital information to teams of physicians and allied health professionals, and connecting complex pathophysiology to appropriate pharmacological and therapeutic interventions. Most importantly, I provided emotional comfort during some of the most difficult moments of patients’ lives.
Australia also revealed meaningful parallels in social determinants of health, similar to those in the United States. I learned about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and saw how access to resources, cultural safety, and socioeconomic barriers influenced health outcomes. This strengthened my awareness of health inequities and prepared me to approach nursing with a more global, culturally responsive lens.
Studying abroad is an experience I will always be grateful for. The memories, growth, and expanded perspective I gained will stay with me forever.
Other Highlights
1. Exploring Moreton Island was so fun. As the world’s third-largest sand island, it was both stunning and adventurous. I spent the day sand boarding, snorkeling, and kayaking around the Tangalooma Wrecks, which are sunken ships that formed an artificial reef. The water was some of the clearest and bluest I’ve ever seen, and it was beautiful to witness
2. Spending a weekend in Gold Coast, also known as surfers paradise (Australia is home to many beautiful beaches). Gold coast has beautiful high rises overlooking the beach, big surf culture, liveliness, and entertainment.
3. Traveling to Bali, Indonesia was a major highlight. I learned about the culture, explored traditional markets, enjoyed massages, rode motorbikes through busy streets, and enjoyed some of the best food I’ve ever tasted.
4. Observing the similarities and differences between the US and Australian healthcare system. Also being able to compare nurses’ role and scope of practice within each.
5. Connecting with people from different backgrounds, sharing experiences, and learning about different cultures helped me become more outgoing, confident, and independent.
