International Healthcare Immersions: Nursing Students Explore Italian Culture and Learn from Local Professionals

In May 2024, nursing students from the University of Texas at Arlington embarked on a unique spring break experience as they traveled through Italy to learn about health care and professional nursing from an international perspective. Led by faculty members from the College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI), the group visited Rome, Florence, and Pisa.

The students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Italian culture and learn about the country’s health care system, Servizio Santario Nazionale, as well as explore ancient Roman medical practices and the history of medicine. Faculty members such as Ann Eckhardt, Keri Draganic, and Tamara Eades guided the students on this journey of gaining a global perspective on health education.

One of the participating students, Lindsey McDavid, emphasized the value of experiencing different cultures firsthand and learning about their health care systems from local professionals. This kind of cultural immersion helps in developing cultural competence that cannot be obtained through books or lectures. The students believe that this newfound global perspective will enhance patient outcomes back home.

According to Eckhardt, understanding cultural differences and gaining insights into health care delivery through interactions with professionals in other countries is crucial, especially considering the demographic shifts taking place in the United States. Texas is a majority-minority state, and the US is projected to be a majority-minority nation in the next two decades. This underscores the importance of cultural understanding in providing effective health care.

This trip to Italy was not only an educational experience but also an opportunity for personal growth for these nursing students who were eager to expand their horizons and gain valuable insights into global health care practices. The fourth short-term travel abroad experience organized for CONHI graduate nursing students included previous trips to London, Switzerland, and France. The students cherished this opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills while exploring new cultures that will ultimately benefit their nursing practice in