Study Abroad Experience in Germany: A Transformative Journey

Two faculty members in USI’s Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions had no idea what they were getting into when they decided to lead a study abroad trip to Osnabrück, Germany, at the end of the Spring Semester, from May 10-20, 2024. Little did they know that 18 students would sign up–possibly the largest group USI has ever taken to the University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule). 

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 U.S. 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. 

Reynolds and Ward are currently planning a return trip to Germany May 1-12, 2025, to give more USI students an understanding of global healthcare and varied patient populations. In addition to Osnabrück, side trips to Amsterdam and nearby German cities are planned. Interested students should plan to attend an informational meeting for this upcoming trip at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 13 in HP 1008. 

For the 2024 trip, Reynolds said charitable gifts to the USI Foundation from alumni and friends provided financial assistance to all students, and several also received funding from their major’s department within the Kinney College. She said the cost of the trip and new opportunities for monetary support will be discussed at the upcoming informational meetings. 

Sara Muensterman, a pre-nursing major, encourages anyone considering studying abroad to do it. “All of my experiences on the trip were positive and made me so much more knowledgeable about different lifestyles,” she says. “I truly loved this trip and all the experiences that came with it. This is a trip I will definitely remember for years to come.” 

Students said one of the more fascinating aspects of the trip was the chance to learn about the German healthcare system from a local perspective. Conversations with German students deepened their knowledge of healthcare delivery in Germany, highlighting 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 liver surgery. 

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 German culture in a broader context. The trip also included a one-day trip to Amsterdam and two days in Berlin, Germany. 

“All these experiences, combined with the academic lessons, have made them more confident in traveling internationally and adapting to different cultures,” says Reynolds. “We hope this trip gives them a wider perspective and prepares them to collaborate with diverse healthcare teams in their future careers.” 

Many friendships were forged on the Germany trip. “As someone who signed up for the trip without knowing anyone else prior, I would say I had an enjoyable experience and made so many lasting friendships,” says Sofia Nora, a dietetics major. “Some of my favorite memories from the trip are when we got a chance to talk to the German students one-on-one during our lunch breaks or on our way home. It was such a cool experience being able to learn about how they grew up and being able to bond over certain shared interests.” 

USI and the University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule) Osnabrück (UAS Osnabrück) in Germany have had an exchange partnership since 1990. It grew out of the sister-city relationship between Evansville and the city of Osnabrück and is one of the University's longest-standing exchange programs with more than 200 American and German students participating since its inception.   

For more information, contact Reynolds at ereynolds@usi.edu,Ward at zdward@usi.edu or visit USI.edu/health/study-abroad.