Quren Jarvis is a third year Nursing student at 91²Ö¿â. She recently studied abroad in London, England over spring break as part of the International Healthcare Policies, United Kingdom program.
International Healthcare Policies, United Kingdom Program
Jarvis decided to study abroad because it would not only be a good way for her to branch out and travel, but to also learn about new cultures. Trying new things is important to her whether it’s new food or languages. She chose to study abroad in London because she was concerned about going far away from home for a long period of time, and found that the London spring break program fit perfectly. London seemed like a good option because while it has similarities to the US, it is different enough to give Quren a new experience that could impact her practice as a nurse.
Quren said the program was set up with a mix of lecture days and activities like visiting museums and the Mayo Clinic in London. She found the pacing of the course well thought out and appreciated having days off near the end of the course, where she could explore the city on her own. For lecture days she would have breakfast with her classmates, then would go to a conference room where her professor, Taryn Burhanna, would have slides set up where the class would talk about public health and healthcare policies. The lectures would also give them backgrounds to know what to look out for when going to different places around the city, that would help students fill out their assignments. The class visited a National Health Service (NHS) center, which Quren had to miss because she had gotten sick, unfortunately. They also went to Cleveland Clinic, which Jarvis found interesting since it's a public healthcare system, but Cleveland Clinic is privatized. The clinic also has a few other international locations such as Toronto, Canada, and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Quren learned that one of the differences in the United Kingdom is that healthcare practitioners are more generalized.
The class went to see a surgery theater from the 1800’s where students learned how surgeons used to do amputations before anesthesia. Surgeons would not wash their hands or their medical supplies between operations. Because of these factors the survival rate for amputations was low. The class also visited the Florence Nightingale Museum, where they learned about the foundation of modern nursing.
Studying Abroad in London, England
Outside of class time, Quren tried a lot of food around the city and did some shopping. She found that while the city was nice, it was also more expensive than what she was used to while traveling. She found that while most people she met were nice, the culture there is more reserved than in the U.S. She really enjoyed the public transportation all over the city, and found it easy to get around once you learned how the system works. Since she had been in Paris a month or so prior to studying abroad in London, she opted to stay in the city and take it in rather than travel on her days off. On the West End she went to see a production of the musical Wicked, which she enjoyed a lot. Quren and her friends managed to get good seats and were in the row right in front of the stage. Her favorite restaurant she tried was Dishoom, an Indian restaurant in London. Her favorite part of the experience was getting matching watches with her friends at one of the stores they visited. She also went to an Omakase restaurant, where she got to try Japanese food selected by a chef, as well as some tea.
Things to Do for Study Abroad Students in London
Quren recommended students studying abroad in London should try Dishoom if they like spicy Indian food. She recommended making a reservation if you can since the line gets long. She also recommended an Italian restaurant called Jacuzzi, where she thought the food and customer service was fantastic. Her favorite meal she got while studying abroad was this plate of slow cooked meat, rice, and broccoli salad from Dishoom. When dealing with public transportation, she recommended sticking with the group the first few days so you can learn the system before branching out on your own. One thing she regrets not doing while studying abroad in London is going to high tea.
Quren urges students to do the touristy things they want to do while in London, see Big Ben, try to book a ride on the London Eye early so you get the best price. Students should do research before their study abroad on what they want to do in the city, so they can plan their days off.
Advice for Study Abroad Students
Quren’s biggest piece of advice for study abroad students is to save your money, and try not to stress too much. Students should pack beforehand, Jarvis recounted how stressed she was packing the night before and strongly advises against it. She recommended students should make a personal packing list, alongside the list students will be given when registered for a study abroad program. Pack your passport in your carry on, not in your checked bag. Save up money beforehand, since students will want to splurge once they are abroad to try new things. Depending on where students study abroad, the cost of living may be higher than in the US, and she recommends preparing adequately for that. And finally, Quren advised to keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings, since pickpocketing is always a risk, especially when traveling to unfamiliar places.
Want to have an experience like Quren’s? The International Healthcare Policies, United Kingdom program will be offered again in spring of 2027! Go to the Office of Global Education's website for more information.
