This summer, more than twenty students from Kent State University College of Nursing attended the Florence Health Institute, a unique study abroad program located in the heart of Italy. These future nurses had the opportunity to view healthcare through a global lens, an experience that will shape both their clinical skills and worldviews for years to come. Through coursework and hands-on experiences, these students learned not only about international health systems but also about compassion, cultural sensitivity and resilience. For many of these students, this was their first time traveling abroad. Throughout the program, they participated in academic seminars, hospital visits, and community health observations that introduced them to the challenges and innovations in European healthcare.
The Florence Health Institute is more than just a trip; it’s a transformational journey that bridges classroom learning with real-world, global impact. These experiences enrich our students’ understanding of nursing practice in diverse settings and deepen their commitment to health equity and patient-centered care.
This unique learning is made possible in part due to the generosity of donors. Scholarship and study abroad support can help remove barriers for many students, particularly in a rigorous and time-intensive discipline like nursing. Thanks to our donors, it has never been easier for nursing students to participate in Global Education.
To ensure all students have an opportunity to participate in Global Education, Kent State created the Global Education Endowment. Established to ensure that all students, regardless of background, have access to meaningful international experiences. By growing this endowed fund, the University hopes to achieve its goal of providing scholarship support for every student seeking global learning opportunities.
As the students return home, they bring with them not only memories of Florence’s historic streets and warm summer nights but a deeper appreciation for what it means to serve as a nurse in an interconnected world.
To learn more about the Global Education Endowment and how you can support international experiences for College of Nursing students, contact Corey Hukill, Director of Advancement, at 330-672-8753.