By Megan J. Allen, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
This March, five Yale School of Nursing (YSN) students including Megan Allen, Batchimeg Erdenebaatar, Abbe Riffle, Carolina Rodriguez, and Intan Sulistyawati, were led by faculty member Dr. Jennifer McIntosh to Tokyo for an unforgettable week of global collaboration, discovery, and innovation in nursing science. Hosted by the Global Nursing Research Center at the University of Tokyo, the group participated in the 2025 Spring International Program (SIP) followed by a specially designed Extended Program tailored just for the Yale students.
A Two-Way Exchange: Welcoming UTokyo to Yale
This cross-cultural collaboration was part of a reciprocal exchange between the two institutions. Just prior to the Tokyo visit, eight students from the University of Tokyo spent a week in New Haven, engaging with YSN’s campus community and global health curriculum.
During their time at Yale, the UTokyo students attended a presentation by Professor Tracy Rabin on “Equitable Global Health Partnerships,” participated in a Cultural Intelligence (CQ®) Overview and Training led by Dr. Charissa Owens, and shared in Breakfast and Conversation with Jieun Pyun, Director for Asia at Yale’s Office of International Affairs. They also heard from Yale nursing students about their global health experiences and toured Yale’s main campus. The visit gave students from both institutions the opportunity to connect over shared interests and deepen their understanding of global health education and leadership.
“My experience in the program at Yale was truly meaningful. It made me realize that I am not only an important part—but also a potential leader—of the global health community,” said UTokyo PhD student Yoshiaki Kanamori as he reflected on his time at Yale. “It was incredibly inspiring to meet Yale students who care deeply about the same issues and share a vision for a better world. I have no doubt that these connections will lead to future research collaborations that can make a real impact on the global community.”
Building Global Connections at the SIP
Held March 10–12 in Tokyo, the Spring International Program brought together students and faculty from over a dozen countries to share insights on healthcare systems and nursing education. Participants presented on their countries’ healthcare and nursing care systems. This was followed by two immersive seminars. The first, led by Professor Gojiro Nakagami, explored bioengineering innovations in nursing, including the use of ultrasonography and AI to improve vascular access and pressure injury prevention. In the second, Professor Mari Ikeda guided students through “Career Cartography,” a reflective exercise to map out their professional goals and values within the global nursing landscape.
Each YSN student then joined a thematic department—ranging from family nursing to psychiatric nursing—for focused sessions and site visits that included hospitals, community care centers, and collaborative research discussions. The program concluded with intergroup presentations and a farewell celebration.
Deeper Learning in the Extended Program
The Yale group continued the collaboration with an Extended Program that offered deeper exploration of Japan’s healthcare innovations and social context. Activities included:
- Advanced wound care workshop with hands-on practice in robotic pressure relief systems and biofilm detection;
- Cultural seminar on infant carrying practices, exploring cross-cultural research on hip health and developmental support;
- Field trips to Miraikan (The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) and The National Hansen’s Disease Museum, providing historical and ethical perspectives on public health challenges.
For Batchimeg Erdenebaatar, a student in YSN’s Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner program, one of the most impactful moments came during a visit to the Children’s Third Place as part of the psychiatric nursing sessions. “It was eye-opening to see the efforts dedicated to supporting both parents with mental illnesses and their children,” she shared. “One initiative that stood out to me was ‘Chappy Time’ —a group activity designed to create a fun and inclusive environment where children can truly be themselves.” Batchimeg was inspired by the holistic, family-centered approach to mental health care in Japan and felt the experience also ignited new aspirations for her future in nursing. “This experience has sparked a newfound passion for research. After gaining more clinical experience, I aspire to integrate research into my career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner and contribute to advancing mental health care through evidence-based practice.”
Megan J. Allen is a student in the Healthcare Leadership, Systems and Policy specialty of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at YSN.