Tiny organisms. X-ray machines with dials. What sets the U.S. health care system apart – and what can be learned from practices overseas?

Those were among the broad lessons students from three College of Health Professions programs explored during weeklong study abroad experiences in Europe over VCU’s recent spring break.

“Experiencing education beyond the classroom is transformative. When students engage with global perspectives firsthand, they develop a deeper understanding of their fields, cultural awareness and a greater sense of empathy – qualities essential for any professional, but especially in health care,” said Amy R. Darragh, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health Professions.

Darragh spent a day with each group in Europe, participating in core educational tours and professional interactions. “Traveling with both undergraduate and graduate students allowed me to witness their growth in real time,” she said. “I saw them navigate new environments, ask critical questions and challenge their own assumptions. These moments shape not just their education but their entire outlook on the world."

Many health sciences programs follow highly structured curricula, which often don't allow room for traditional semester-long study abroad opportunities. “Beyond academic enrichment, study abroad opens doors for building relationships – between students, faculty and our global partners,” Darragh added. “Personally, I gained fresh insights into how different cultures approach education and health care. It reinforced that learning is a lifelong process, and I returned with ideas to enhance our programs and better prepare students for a global workforce.”

Digging into the history of Radiation Sciences

Students from the Department of Radiation Sciences explored the roots of their profession during their travels to Europe. Led by Cherish Parham, Ph.D., the study abroad tour was part of the “History of Medical Imaging” course, which was designed to bring the evolution of radiation sciences to life. Over the course of the trip, 13 students visited historical sites for firsthand insight into discoveries that shaped modern medical imaging.

The journey began in Germany, where students visited the Röntgen Museum in Remscheid, dedicated to scientist Wilhelm Röntgen and his discovery of X-rays in 1895. The museum houses historical artifacts, including letters from Albert Einstein and the Prince of Wales congratulating Röntgen on his groundbreaking discovery, as well as machines with dials that seemed foreign to students accustomed to digital imaging – and unfamiliar even with more-recent rotary phones.

“Seeing original documents and artifacts from the earliest days of X-ray technology brings history to life in a way that’s impossible to replicate in a classroom,” said Parham, program director of radiography. “Understanding where this technology began – and how far we’ve come – helps them appreciate their role in advancing safe and effective medical imaging.”

Traveling next to Paris, the group visited the Curie Museum, housed in the original laboratories of Marie Curie, where they learned about the pioneering scientist’s discovery of radiation and her extensive contributions to medical imaging and radiation therapy. They also learned the significant health risks early researchers faced before radiation safety protocols were established. 

“One of the most striking moments is when students realize that Curie’s personal belongings, including her notebooks, remain radioactive to this day,” Parham said. “It’s a powerful reminder of both the progress we’ve made and the responsibility we carry as radiation science professionals.”

The trip also provided students with time to explore Cologne and Paris on their own, navigating new cities and broadening their global perspectives. As part of their coursework, each student planned an independent day in Paris.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this trip is watching students build confidence in themselves – not just as future professionals, but as independent travelers and global citizens,” Parham said. The experience reinforced the importance of learning from the past to guide the future of radiation sciences. Students also said the cultural experience played an impact in how they view patient care.

“It reminded me that every scan I take is part of a long history of innovation and hard work from those who came before me,” said Jaquelyn Diaz, a sophomore from Midlothian. “As I finish my degree and start working in the field, I’ll carry the lessons with me. Being in a foreign country where I didn’t fully understand the language gave me a better sense of what it’s like to be a patient who feels lost or scared. It was a good reminder to always be patient, compassionate and clear when communicating with patients, especially when they’re feeling anxious or unsure.”

Health Administration students explore health care models

Five students from Health Administration programs traveled to Berlin, Germany, for a firsthand look at international health care delivery. Coordinated in partnership with the Swedish HealthCare Academy, this experience marked a milestone for the department, offering students a chance to compare health care systems and bring fresh insights back to their studies and careers.

For Jennifer Coakley, a first-year student in the Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) program and an imaging supervisor at Stafford Hospital, the decision to join was an easy one – though it came with personal sacrifices.

“We just got a puppy, so my husband wasn’t exactly thrilled,” Coakley said. “But he was very supportive.”

With two young children at home and a demanding career, she balanced responsibilities to make the trip possible.

Despite the personal juggling act, the experience was worth it. “I think it's one of those critical pieces where you can juxtapose our system with another, and it gives you a comparison. I think it is invaluable. That’s why I went,” Coakley said.

During the trip, students participated in site visits, lectures and discussions comparing the German health care system – known for its universal coverage and insurance-based model – with that of the United States. They explored government and private hospitals, primary care centers, and long-term care facilities while engaging with caregivers and administrators. The experience also included a walking tour of Berlin.

“It’s not just about providing an international experience, but about exposing students to different perspectives they may not have considered before,” said M. Paige Powell, Ph.D., associate professor of health administration and director of the MHA and MSHA programs. “If you were in charge of changing the health care system, what are the good parts you could bring here to the U.S.,” she challenged students to consider.

One of the more striking insights from the trip involved learning about disparities within Germany’s own system, particularly between former East and West Germany. More than 30 years after reunification, the effects of the country’s divided past remain evident.

“It’s important for us to explore these differences because they parallel disparities in the U.S., such as those between urban and rural areas and socioeconomic gaps that impact access to care,” Powell said.

She encouraged students to think critically about these gaps and how they relate to similar challenges in the United States, where rural hospitals often struggle to stay open and provide the same level of care as urban medical centers.

The trip marked the first study abroad experience for Health Administration students in decades. With strong student interest, the program may expand in the coming years to include alumni and additional destinations. Coakley believes demand will only grow.

“With us going and showing how much we enjoyed it, I think next year will have a lot more people wanting to go,” she said. “I would highly recommend it. It was a wonderful experience.”

“It represents new directions we’re exploring that will increase our visibility and provide more opportunities to offer students meaningful educational experiences,” Powell said. “Ultimately, that’s what this is about – teaching our students, developing them as professionals and fulfilling our mission of creating compassionate, business-savvy leaders to reimagine health care.”

MLS students explore microbes and the larger human body

Maiya Picott fondly recalls the impact a semester in Switzerland had on her as an undergraduate. Enrolled in an interdisciplinary program, she traveled throughout Europe but missed visiting a microbe museum in Amsterdam – an experience she promised herself she’d return for.

That became a highlight of the weeklong trip for the 15 Medical Laboratory Sciences students she led. Academic elements were designed to take them outside the lab and show them how their chosen career contributes to the world of health care, with a focus on applying laboratory sciences in real-world contexts.

“I want them to realize that the lessons they’re learning in the classroom are applicable in the real world,” said Picott, M.S., laboratory instructor.

Micropia, the world’s first museum dedicated to microbes, explores the smallest and most powerful organisms on Earth – critical to digestion, infections, and even fueling the body. These are the very subjects students will test for and analyze as laboratory professionals.

At Body Worlds, students discovered the intricacies beneath the skin through real human specimens called plastinates. The exhibition showcased human health and function, demonstrating how emotions affect the body and which anatomical parts contribute to feelings of happiness.

“As students prepare to enter the workforce, this shows them the bigger picture: who we are and how everything is connected in health care,” Picott said.

Many of the students were in their final semester and had already received job offers after graduation. This trip provided an opportunity to cap their academic careers with engaging, hands-on learning – without the stress of taking a test afterward.

The group included students traveling outside the United States for the first time, offering them a broader cultural experience. During the week, they also toured the Rijksmuseum, which chronicles Dutch history since the Middle Ages, the Anne Frank House, and the Van Gogh Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of the artist’s paintings and drawings.

“The trip allowed me to better understand how Europe differs from the U.S.,” said Sarah El Abbar, a senior. “It was an important experience to have while still in college.”