Cliff jumping on the Amalfi Coast.

Author: Lydia Beller | Major: Nursing

I chose to study abroad in Rome, Italy and complete the Nursing Across the Lifespan in Rome course plan. I chose this program for a multitude of reasons. First, the program could develop skills in me that will be useful for my future career. These skills include: how to navigate nursing care of those who speak a different language, insight about how healthcare in other countries function, and nonverbal therapeutic communication skills. Additionally, although the United States Healthcare system is not perfect, I am able to better appreciate the benefits of it after working in the systems of other countries. My honors research topic has a focus on nutrition for pediatric patients with seizure disorders. Studying in Italy provided an opportunity to analyze the relationship between the mediterranean diet and health and life expectancy in Italy. Second, living in Europe has been a dream of mine since before I can remember. Speaking multiple languages, walking everywhere, taking trains, the combination of beautiful cities and landscapes, mountains, and being constantly surrounded by history sounds like the ideal lifestyle to me. I hoped that studying in Italy would give me a taste of that. My classes and instructors were wonderful. I and my fellow nursing students were able to do clinicals at Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic, which is the hospital of choice for the Pope. We got to shadow the PICC line team one day as they met patient after patient. Another day, we got to shadow registered nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit. That day was particularly interesting because we got to see technology and therapeutic interventions that can mimic the functions of the womb to keep premature infants on track for growth. Additionally, in the course To Rome With Love, we were given in depth exposure to Italian history, culture, arts, and language. My favorite lessons in To Rome with Love were those on language and the lecture about fashion in Italy. Italy is historically the epicenter of quality textiles and processes to design and produce clothing. We also learned the history of “Made in Italy” and how it came to signify expert craftsmanship and high quality.

Zaha Hadid’s Messner Mountain Museum Corones in the Dolomites.

We took a trip to the Dolomites which is a mountain range on the border of Austria and Italy. Although still in Italy, people in this region often speak both German and Italian. There are unique dialects of both languages in this region. The Dolomites are iconic for their abundance of outdoor opportunities. You can camp, hike, mountain bike, climb, ski, snowboard, etc. The food in this region is a unique combination of German, Austrian, and Italian cuisines. During the summer, the mountains and hills are the brightest colors I have ever seen in nature. Lastly, while in the dolomites, we had the opportunity to visit the Messner Mountain Museum Corones, which is a museum designed by Zaha Hadid. Built into the stone of a cliff, the museum features Hadid’s signature curves, sharp angles, and concrete. The content of the museum is about the history of mountaineering as shown by mountaineer Reinhold Messner.

I recommend that every student studies abroad. My biggest recommendation when preparing for a study abroad experience is that you have a good grasp on the language spoken in the country you plan to study in. Living in another country for at least 4 months will help you grow immensely, broaden your worldview, and increase your humility. Immersion in a country where English is not the primary language spoken will also improve your ability to communicate nonverbally and in another language. It could be a means to learn a language you may be struggling to learn because you can’t regularly use it in the US. As a nursing student, I recommend that you go into this program knowing that your clinical experience may look different than it does in the US. The first thing I did when I got home was hang out with my family and friends. I loved everything about getting to live in Italy, but I wanted to share that experience with my loved ones.