The Oklahoma State University nursing program took 23 students to Europe as part of its first study abroad experience designed to broaden their understanding of healthcare beyond the United States.

In the latter half of May, the students and three faculty members spent two weeks traveling through Switzerland and France, visiting healthcare facilities, learning about international healthcare systems and immersing themselves in new cultures. Most participants were nursing or pre-nursing students, though the group also included one public health and one pre-med student.

The trip marked a milestone for the nursing program, providing students with firsthand exposure to global healthcare practices while representing OSU and the College of Education and Human Sciences abroad. The nursing department's interim director, Dr. Diane Cannon, said one of her first tasks when she joined the faculty full time was to begin developing a study abroad opportunity.

“Studies have shown that nursing students and healthcare professionals who study abroad are more prone to work in rural or underserved areas during their career,” Cannon said. “Knowing that is a big need in Oklahoma, I made sure to make that part of my work at OSU.”

Students traveled to Paris and Nice, France, and Geneva, Switzerland, where they participated in educational experiences focused on healthcare delivery and patient care. Among the highlights were visits to a children's hospital and a healthcare simulation center, where students observed how medical professionals train and care for patients in different settings.

The group also attended a presentation on France's healthcare system, giving students an opportunity to compare international healthcare policies and practices with those in the United States.

Cannon said experiences such as these help students develop cultural awareness and a broader understanding of healthcare — skills that are increasingly important in today's interconnected world.

"The experience was designed to allow our students to compare and contrast the U.S. healthcare system with healthcare systems in other countries,” Cannon said. “They really got to see firsthand how politics and policy play an important role in that.”

That goal was met for senior nursing student Mya Campbell, who wasted no time asking the important — and sometimes difficult —questions.

For Campbell, time in the classroom has helped her more deeply evaluate topics like lifestyle and wellness; universal healthcare; and public health. However, she acknowledged her background didn't stop her from having a skewed [global] perspective at first.

“It was really cool to have my whole world kind of turned upside down in terms of what I expected to see, and what I expected their healthcare system to look like,” Campbell said.

”In some aspects I thought our [medical] practices were more advanced here in America, but in others I thought we had room for improvement, after what I saw in France and Switzerland.”

Campbell said the experience provided valuable insight into healthcare systems outside the United States while reinforcing lessons learned in her classes at OSU. As Campbell prepares to finish her last semester at OSU this fall, she is able to reflect on the global methods she can implement into her own practice as a healthcare professional.

The study abroad experience was also impactful for students who are just beginning their healthcare education journeys.

Although she didn’t yet have the same level of education as other students on the trip, pre-nursing student Selah Acuna said seeing the impact of lifestyle on public health left a large impression on her.

In particular, Acuna acknowledged France’s two-year paid maternity leave that is protected under law.

“They seemed happier there, and I noticed they had the ability to prioritize their health more — both their mental and physical health,” Acuna said. “If you’re not happy, it’s going to present through your body.

“There’s a lot of misconstrued perception of [what Europe is like], but I noticed people walk more, they have more free time, and paid maternity leave is the law there.”

Acuna, who plans to apply for admission to the nursing program, said the trip strengthened her interest in pursuing a nursing career and helped motivate her to continue her studies at OSU.

In addition to the academic experiences, students explored historic and cultural sites throughout France and Switzerland, gaining a deeper appreciation for the communities they visited.

Cannon said the students represented OSU and the College of Education and Human Sciences exceptionally well throughout the trip, demonstrating professionalism, curiosity and a willingness to learn.

As the nursing program's first study abroad experience becomes a memory, faculty hope it will serve as the foundation for future international opportunities that allow students to expand their perspectives and prepare for careers in an increasingly global healthcare environment.

Nursing Program in Europe

Story By: Annie Ross | annie.ross@okstate.edu