Study Abroad

A study abroad experience provides an interprofessional, multicultural opportunity to interested students enrolled in UIW’s Feik School of Pharmacy. The trip is the culmination of a semester-long elective where the students must engage in a variety of activities (both online and in the classroom) to promote interdisciplinary learning and cultural competency. At the completion of the elective, students will have put extensive effort into understanding the culture and history, researching healthcare systems and practitioner roles in a country, and kept current with a country’s events and the global impact.

After completion of the elective, the trip is a rare opportunity to experience a country first-hand and observe the similarities and differences between our cultures, our healthcare practices, and our daily lives. Scheduled trips to healthcare facilities provide opportunities to view the roles of our professions in a different society and interact with that country’s health professionals.

India 2013

A group of 24 Pharmacy, Nursing, and undergraduate students and faculty recently returned from a two-week study abroad experience in India. The trip focus was on healthcare themes, with visits to pharmacy/nursing schools, hospitals, a rural medical clinic, and alternative medical treatment centers (naturopathy, Ayurveda). Students took an elective course in the spring semester to prepare for the trip: presentations and discussion boards focused on cultural traditions, educational systems, political/social happenings, and healthcare practices. This preparation provided a background and frame of reference for everyone (all first-timers to India!) We gained a better understanding of Indian culture and healthcare so we care able to improve care, communication, and understanding with a more diverse group of patients.

Ecuador/Galapagos - 2014

A group of 24 pharmacy and nursing students and faculty recently returned from a nearly two-week study abroad experience in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands during May-June 2014. It was a trip to remember, as we experienced the rich culture of Ecuador through educational sightseeing, healthcare visits, trekking and tubing through the Amazon, and exploring the wonders of the Galapagos Islands. We gained a better understanding of the Ecuadorian culture that may help us improve care, communication, and understanding with a more diverse group of patients. Ecuador and its Galapagos Islands proved to be a land of wonders with rich history, culture, food, and experiences. We are thankful for a safe trip and the memories to last a lifetime.

China 2015

A group of 31 pharmacy and nursing students and faculty recently returned from a fifteen-day study abroad experience through seven cities in China in May-June 2015. One of the health care visits was to a hospital that uses only eastern medicines, such as herbs and minerals. Each of the silver trays and little drawers contained the ingredients for a customized “tea” that the patients drink. There were no western medicines or pre-prepared drugs in this hospital. Study abroad opportunities are invaluable chances to experience the varied and exciting world in which we live. China proved to be a land of wonders with rich history, culture, food, and experiences. Faculty and students alike were thankful for a safe trip and the memories to last a lifetime.

No trip - 2016

Australia 2017

A group of 36 students and faculty from the UIW Feik School of Pharmacy and the UIW UIW Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions went on 10-day study abroad trip to Australia to provide an interprofessional, multicultural experience. Students and faculty gained a deeper understanding of the culture, history, and health care systems in Australia, as well as how it differs from that of The United States. In addition to touring health care facilities, community pharmacies, and the University of Sydney’s School of Pharmacy and School of Nursing in Australia, the trip allowed for an opportunity to learn about the country's unique wildlife, geography, indigenous populations, and ecosystem.

Spain 2018

The FSOP students traveled throughout Spain for 18 days in May. They visited Madrid, Seville, Coast del Sol, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, Salamanca, and Gibraltar. In Madrid, the group was able to see the Madrid soccer team return with their trophy and present it to the city. The group visited Universidad de Navarra School of Pharmacy and Nutrition in Navarra, Spain. There were able to tour their school and hospital, and learn more about the practice of Pharmacy in Spain.

South Africa 2018

At the beginning of this summer, 24 students and faculty traveled to South Africa from May 21-30, 2018. During the 9-day trip, the group visited the cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Franschhoek as well as Langa and Soweto townships. The group toured a hospital, a public health clinic, a pharmacy, and the University of the Western Cape School of Pharmacy, and visited with traditional healers. Throughout the trip students were mindful of the similarities and differences of the South African healthcare system in comparison to that of the United States. In balancing learning with fun, the group also toured community centers within the townships, tasted South African cuisine, visited a South African vineyard in Franschhoek, and went on a safari in Kruger National Park as part of a cultural learning experience. In summary, the experience was priceless.

Turkey/Greece 2023

A group of 50 students and faculty from the UIW Feik School of Pharmacy and the UIW Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions went on 14-day study abroad trip to Turkey and Greece to learn about the healthcare practices, education, and culture of the region. Study abroad participants visited the Koc School of Nursing in Istanbul, Turkey, and the Ankara University School of Pharmacy in Turkey’s capital city of Ankara. Students gained a deeper understanding of the differences in professional healthcare education and learned about the unique roles that each healthcare provider plays in patient care. In addition to these visits, the trip took students to sites across the country which provided opportunities to be immersed in the cuisine, culture, ancient history, and religious practices of Turkey.