FAMU Students Expand global Health Care Experience Through Study Abroad in Spain
For Tia Burgess, stepping off a plane in Seville, Spain, marked more than her first trip outside the United States. It was the beginning of an experience that expanded her understanding of health care and other cultures while strengthening her commitment to serving communities around the world.
“For one, I'd never traveled outside of the country,” Burgess said. “And for two, I wanted to be able to give back to other people in communities that weren't as fortunate as in the United States and get to know different cultures outside of the United States.”
Burgess, a physical therapy doctoral student, was one of 12 Florida A&M University students selected to participate in the two-week Health Sciences Study Abroad Clinical Program in Seville. Participants represented the School of Allied Health Sciences, School of Nursing and College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, gaining immersive experience within Spain's health care system.
Augustus Mitchell, assistant provost for Academic Affairs, (far right) goes on a carriage
ride with students during their time in Seville, Spain. (Photo special to FAMU)
“The Health Sciences Study Abroad Clinical Program in Seville is an exceptional example of experiential learning that prepares students for today’s global health care environment,” said Augustus Mitchell, assistant provost for Academic Affairs and Graduate Recruitment. He also oversees Programs of Strategic Emphasis (PSE), which provides students with opportunities that connect academic experiences with professional development.
Mitchell shared that the program gives students firsthand experience in Spain's health care system through clinical rotations, specialty tracks and an EMT boot camp while exposing them to international models of patient care. The experience allows students to expand their understanding of health care delivery beyond the classroom.
Imir Hall, coordinator for PSE and chaperone for the trip, said the experience was intentionally designed to expose students to both professional and everyday life abroad.
FAMU students were immersed in experential learning experiences while visiting Seville,
Spain earlier this year. (Photo special to FAMU)
“Our goal was to have a fully immersive experience for the students,” Hall said. During the trip, students applied their classroom preparation while working with patients and navigating a new environment.
Working in Spanish clinical settings exposed students to medical treatment methods and technology different from those commonly used in the United States.
“The modalities in that country had the greatest impact on me because they have different machines that we cannot use in the United States,” Burgess said. “When I was in Spain, I fell down the stairs and hurt my ankle. By using one of their machines, they were able to help heal the ligament I tore.”
Hall pointed out that one of the most rewarding parts of the trip was watching students put their classroom training into practice.
“Seeing students apply the skills they learned at FAMU in another country was inspiring,” he said.
Beyond the classroom, FAMU students embraced Spanish culture and daily life, enriching
their study abroad experience. (Photo special to FAMU)
While the clinical experience strengthened students’ professional skills, adapting to everyday life abroad presented new challenges. Burgess said overcoming the language barrier required patience and persistence during the program’s first few days.
“You had no choice,” Burgess said. "We were only there for two weeks. You probably had three days to get it together or you were just going to be lost the rest of the time.”
Living with a host family also deepened the cultural experience. Burgess shared a home with three students from France, giving her the opportunity to build relationships across cultures while learning firsthand about daily life in Spain.
For Burgess, the opportunity was also made possible through financial support from the program. She said the trip was fully funded, allowing her to focus on the experience while only covering personal expenses.
“I hope they took back the ability to adapt in different environments and situations,” Hall said.
Burgess said her time in Spain reinforced a broader vision for her future.
“This experience has influenced me to give back worldwide,” she said. “I want to take what I've learned in the United States and use it to help people in other parts of the world.”
Burgess encourages other students to take advantage of similar opportunities.
“Just do it,” Burgess said. “You never know what you don't know because you never gave it a try. Not only did I create memories in Spain, but I also made lifelong friends with students from different disciplines. It's an experience I'll always be grateful for.”
Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
