Kirkwood Community College hosted a group of eight students and an instructor from Singapore as part of the Global Education Network program from Sept. 21 to Oct. 2.
They attended classes at Kirkwood, explored the state of Iowa, including visits to Kalona and Adventure Land, and learned about American and Iowan culture.
Four of those students decided to share their thoughts on their experience here at Kirkwood.
Prakash Tiwari
Coming from Singapore, my journey in Iowa has been more than an educational exchange. It has been an opportunity to experience a new way of life. What struck me most was the warmth and friendliness of the people. A simple smile, a greeting from a stranger or a genuine conversation made me feel welcome from the very beginning.
As a nursing student, I was particularly interested in experiencing nursing education at Kirkwood Community College. I found the learning environment interactive and practical with a strong emphasis on hands-on skills, communication, critical thinking and building confidence. It gave me a fresh perspective on how nursing can be taught and experienced.
I was also fascinated by Iowa’s culture. The peaceful surroundings, open spaces, strong sense of community and appreciation for simple everyday moments felt very different from Singapore’s fast-paced urban lifestyle.
This experience has reminded me that nursing goes beyond clinical skills. It is about connecting with people, respecting differences and learning from every culture we encounter.
Cheyenne Cheng
My time at Kirkwood has been a memorable and enriching experience. Although Kirkwood shares similarities with my college in Singapore, experiencing four distinct seasons has been something new for me. The beautiful fall weather has been one of my favorite parts of my stay.
Having my own Kirkwood student card allowed me to enjoy campus life through free public transportation, school games and even ice skating. As nursing students, we participated in both lectures and practical sessions alongside Kirkwood students. Learning and sharing experiences together made me feel welcomed and connected to the community. I am grateful for the warm hospitality and wonderful memories I will take home.
Gelfrid Peng
My time at Kirkwood Community College has been wonderful and eye-opening. I enjoyed the cool autumn weather and exploring the campus. Both practical and theory lessons were engaging with knowledgeable, approachable teachers who made learning enjoyable.
Everyone was friendly and helpful, especially Gibson, our student mentor and guide. He recommended the fall festival in Kalona, where we enjoyed delicious food and experienced local culture firsthand.
This trip has broadened my understanding of American culture and nursing education. I am grateful for the warm hospitality, meaningful connections and memorable experiences that have contributed to my personal growth as a future nurse.
Dorothy Tay
My experience at Kirkwood Community College has been extremely amazing! Experiencing autumn and colder weather definitely made me 10 times happier since it was almost all of our first times experiencing it together.
It will definitely be a special memory to me as I spent my first autumn and first time in the U.S. doing things we had never done before with my amazing group of friends. Being in the nursing course throughout these two weeks was definitely a meaningful experience.
The students I met in the classes were the best part of each day! They were extremely engaging and enthusiastic when sharing their different perspectives and experiences in healthcare which made my learning here even more insightful.
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