Welcome to Tuesdays Abroad: CHS Focuses on Education Abroad Stories

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Mattie Lewis always wanted to pursue a career in medicine.

And even as a senior, preparing to graduate with a degree in Human Health Sciences, she knew it was really just the beginning of her studies — and she wanted more from her education.

“With the end goal of committing to at least four more years of rigorous schooling following undergrad, I was vigilant about using my breaks to fit in as many greater world experiences as possible,” said the 21-year-old from London, Ky.

So, she packed in as many experiences as she could. Through classes like Global Brigades, MEDLIFE, and Arts and Culture in the City of Light, she took educational excursions to places like Ecuador, Paris, Croatia and Hungary.

“Being able to see a new country for the first time under the expert guidance of the University of Kentucky faculty made the experience incredible, as well as easily attainable,” she said. “I gained many of my favorite college memories, a more diverse understanding of the world, and a complete satisfaction with my undergrad experience.” 

Over the past year, the College of Health Sciences has put an increased focus on Education Abroad, launching a CHS Global Initiatives website and emphasizing the benefits that an experience to a foreign country can add to one’s overall college experience.

“Yes, there is amble evidence that suggests students who participate in Education Abroad are more likely to succeed in college,” said Brendan O’Farrell, PhD, and director of the Interprofessional Healthcare Residential College.

For instance, he said, the Consortium for Analysis of Student Success through International Education – a national consortium and data project dedicated to improving research on the impact of international education interventions, including study abroad — noted through extensive data from 36 U.S. institutions, including the University of Kentucky, that students who study abroad reduce their time to degree, earn a higher GPA at degree, and are more likely to graduate in both four and six years.   

“Importantly, all of these outcomes account and control for a host of variables, including high-school levels of academic preparation and whether or not the student receives need-based aid,” O’Farrell said. “Education Abroad is a wonderful opportunity that exposes students to new cultures and learning opportunities.”  

As a result, he said, CHS students who participate in education abroad are more likely to:

• Enhance their own intercultural understanding and maturity.
• Show increased levels of independence.
• Broaden their academic understanding with a global perspective.
• Make themselves more competitive on the job market and/or during the graduate/professional school application process.

With staple countries like England, France, Japan and Italy already in the fold, the number of CHS partnerships is increasing, and also includes service-learning opportunities in places like Ecuador and Belize. In the future, CHS students could find themselves exploring new opportunities in places like the Netherlands and Thailand.

“My best memory from study abroad was my first clinic day on a service-learning trip with Global Brigades in Santa Domingo, Ecuador,” Lewis said. “While they had taken great measures to prepare us, I didn’t grasp the magnitude of the impact the program would make until I interacted with the individual beneficiaries in the community.”

Starting today, the College of Health Sciences will feature a story from a student or faculty member from an educational experience overseas. We’re calling it Tuesdays Abroad — and we’re using this space to show just how influential these voyages can be.

“I am so grateful for the study abroad opportunities I have had throughout my undergrad experience,” Lewis continued. “I would advise anyone thinking of studying abroad to say yes! Apply for scholarships and find a way to make this once in a lifetime opportunity a reality.”