Amelia Clemens, Catholic '25, is a Conway School of Nursing student from Annapolis, MD. She chose to study abroad in Rome, Italy.

Why did you want to study abroad?

"I have always wanted to study abroad because traveling pushes one outside their comfort zone. As future nurses, we will be working with various cultures and people from many places. It is important for me to appreciate and understand these various backgrounds.

By studying abroad, I gained a greater appreciation for different cultures by immersing myself in various atmospheres. It also helped me grow more confident to be able to board a plane myself and step into a different country. I have no doubt that I will be prepared for future endeavors as a student and as a nurse. I now know that travel nursing and volunteering with Doctors Without Boarders is part of my calling as a traveler and nurse."

What was your favorite experience while studying abroad?

"Two travel experiences that stuck with me included riding a camel in Morocco and cliff jumping in Croatia. Both moments were two experiences I never would have expected to do. Although I was the one that initiated both experiences, when it came down to jumping and riding the camel, I had doubts. Thanks to the cheering from fellow friends and nursing classmates, I completed both and had the time of my life.

The value of teamwork and supportiveness to achieve your goals is a confidence booster. Completing both are some of my proudest moments from study abroad."

How were you able to immerse yourself in the culture of the country you studied in?

"Four and a half months into study abroad, I was able to navigate without Google Maps, order groceries in Italian, and hold my own. While I would not call myself a local, I found a greater appreciation for Rome and Italy. I was proud to call it home for four and a half months, and a part of it will always be with me."

What did you learn about nursing abroad?

"It is hard to choose a nursing highlight but one that always comes to mind is when my biomedical ethics class visited a convent that takes care of the elderly. We were witnesses to care and we were able to perceive how various cultures take care of and view aging. As someone who works with the elderly at home, the opportunity was near and dear to my heart.

Many of the residents did not speak English so we had to depend on non-verbal communication strategies. Working with the Italian elders showed me that there can be many approaches to care. Italians focused on a more well-rounded approach to care. The elders were not locked or confined, it felt less like a nursing home and more like a home of happy vibrant people. It was a valuable experience that I will carry over with me as a nurse.

Nursing education should not be confined to the classroom. It should be expanded to the community because we serve various members of the community. I learned so many skills such as time management, organization, a global perspective, confidence, and optimism. These will all bolster my ability to become the best nurse I can be."

How were you able to balance your travels with your academics?

"Eventually, as a nurse, we will have to juggle work with life, so study abroad proved the first opportunity to put my time management skills to the test. I was able to travel to 12 countries (Slovakia, Hungary, Morocco, Monaco, France, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Malta, Italy, Vatican, and Greece) while maintaining a high GPA.

Overall, I am extremely proud of my ability to learn to study on trains and planes, study in groups, use effective time management techniques, and learn how to stay back and prioritize studying. Studying abroad does not mean your academics have to suffer. In fact, I found my grades and ability to learn expanded because I maximized time management, utilized office hours, and took breaks that allowed my brain to recover and rest while I traveled."

What advice do you have for future students?

"It's natural to be afraid and intimated about the what if's..... If you don't have any friends going or don't know anyone else studying abroad, don't let this deter you. Through immersive experiences, family mealtimes, and the close knit campus, you grow closer to your peers, make new friends, and become closer. You may even find your new travel best friends. Together, you will carry these memories for the rest of your life. Don't live to regret not trying because of fear. If you talk to people many regret not trying study abroad, but nearly everyone who studied abroad loved their experience."