Author: Lauren Shepherd | Major: Nursing | Semester: Summer 2024

Hiking the cliffs of Moher

Hi! I’m Lauren Shepherd, an incoming senior in the College of Education and Health Professions. I am majoring in Nursing and am passionate about providing patients with the highest level of compassionate care. As a result, I was drawn to study abroad to gain a greater understanding of holistic healthcare. I studied abroad for roughly 3 weeks during the Summer of 2024 through the U of A. Faculty-Led program Health Care and Social Services in Ireland. I wanted to study abroad because of the wealth of knowledge and experience that I would gain through studying Irish healthcare from a holistic and multidisciplinary point of view. As I progress through my nursing education and into my future career, I continue to grow more eager to learn how healthcare and Social Determinants of Health impact patient outcomes. Thus, I valued how this program explores both medical aspects and social factors that impact health. Studying abroad in Ireland greatly improved my awareness of cultural differences. Direct interactions with service providers allowed me to analyze how Irish healthcare and social work is implemented comprehensively. These experiences had a great impact on my worldview as the difference in services provided to Irish citizens influenced my understanding of life outside of the United States. My favorite educational moments were when I was able to directly engage with diverse patient populations as this enhanced my interpersonal skills and has made me better prepared for a professional career in nursing. This program allowed me to study healthcare and social work in three major cities across Ireland: Limerick, Galway, and Dublin. In addition to learning about Social Determinants of Health in these academic settings, I was also able to apply my learning during trips taken outside of class. One of my favorite places we went for fun was hiking the Cliffs of Moher. These famous cliffs are located between Limerick and Galway. The steep hike was treacherous at times but was well worth it for the gorgeous views! Another one of my other favorite experiences was eating dinner in a medieval, Irish castle. The built environment of the castle allowed us to understand the impact of Social Determinants of Health hundreds of years later. Exploring various historic buildings and the natural beauty of Ireland’s landscape bridged the gap between the academic experience of studying abroad and being immersed in Irish culture. I greatly value my newfound knowledge of different approaches to delivering healthcare and social services. The multidisciplinary approach of this program allowed me to gain a greater understanding of different mindsets when it comes to providing health and social services. Exploring Social Determinants of Health also elevated my experience to see how different socioeconomic, environmental, and community factors impact an individual’s well-being. Holistically comparing a variety of organizations and agencies in Ireland and America has given me an unparalleled approach to healthcare. Being immersed in Ireland’s culture while learning about healthcare through this program has better equipped me to be a more inclusive, skilled, and compassionate nurse in the future. Advice that I would give future students wanting to study abroad is to determine what they’re passionate about, find a program that allows them to explore that passion, and then go for it! I would recommend studying abroad to any student wanting to expand their horizons and have an unforgettable experience exploring a new culture!