Dr. Erin Reynolds, Associate Professor and Chair of USI’s Health Services and Health Administration programs, is no stranger to international travel, having spent considerable time in Africa studying infectious diseases. But she admits she found it a bit daunting that so many students were interested and that many of them had never traveled outside the United States. Luckily, she had Dr. Zachary Ward, Assistant Professor of Health Administration, to help lead the students around Europe, which turned out to be an incredible experience with unique insights and learning opportunities.
Students learned about the German healthcare system from a local perspective and had conversations with German students that highlighted differences and similarities with the U.S. system. They discovered how medical insurance works in Europe and even toured a hospital in Münster, Germany, which included some surprise “behind the scenes” experiences, such as scrubbing in for surgery and observing a da Vinci robotic surgery on a liver.
Outside the classroom, the cultural immersion was equally rewarding. On their first day, they went shopping with German students, which proved to be a fun and practical way to start the trip and allowed students to bond and navigate the city together. They went sightseeing with their German guides and participated in several fun activities like the Maifest (Mayfest), which helped them understand the German culture in a broader context. The trip also included a one-day trip to Amsterdam and two days in Berlin, Germany.
