Health Care Emphasis Highlights Study Abroad Trip – Arkansas Tech University

With one semester remaining in her undergraduate experience at Arkansas Tech University, Madison Mourot found the perfect complement to her formal, classroom education: a study abroad trip to London, England.

“The study abroad experience inspired me in so many ways,” said Mourot, who is from Morrilton. “In a short time, this trip made me more culturally aware, competent and sensitive. While I was there, there were so many things that I wanted to further research when I got home. My time as a student is not just limited to the time I am at Arkansas Tech. I think it is important to use every day as a learning opportunity and continually strive to gain knowledge in areas one is interested in.”

For Mourot, that area of interest is nursing. She will obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from ATU in December.

“This trip made me realize that health care is always evolving and nurses can continually make differences and improvements through their research and implementation,” said Mourot. “Many of the interventions we use today in the health care system were not prevalent even decades ago, which leads me to believe changes and improvements can continue to be made today.”

Dr. Cheryl Monfee, ATU professor of nursing, guided Mourot and her fellow ATU students on the trip to London at the conclusion of the spring 2024 semester.

“Students learned about the national health system, the educational background of registered nurses and nurse staffing in the United Kingdom, allowing them to compare and contrast the United States health care system with that of the UK,” said Monfee. “The study abroad experience in London was the perfect introduction to international travel for our students.”

Members of the ATU delegation to England toured the Florence Nightingale Museum and the Science Museum of London. They participated in an educational discussion and interview with Alex Mancini, national lead nurse for neonatal palliative care, and visited the Old Operating Theatre Museum. The museum is housed in the attic of an 18th century church at the site of the Old St. Thomas Hospital. The operating theatre dates back to 1822.

“Our curator discussed the primitive care of patients with infections and surgical needs,” said Monfee about the Old Operating Theatre Museum. “The students learned how amputations were accomplished without antiseptic, anesthesia or pain control as well as the evolution of surgical techniques.”

There was also time for cultural immersion and fun. The ATU group visited tourist attractions such as Big Ben, the House of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Buckingham Palace changing of the guard, the Tower of London and the Abbey Road crosswalk.

In addition to Mourot and Monfee, ATU was also represented on the study abroad trip to London by Kody Adams, Cyera Durham, Jacob Howard, Faith Howie, Faith Kelly, Nate Maggard, Shellie Maggard, Andrew Monfee, Devin Ward and Shelbie Ward.

“It is challenging to distinguish what my favorite memories of my time in London were because every day of the trip was packed with so many planned and spontaneous adventures,” said Mourot. “This trip made me realize that it is so important to take pride in one’s own country and culture. When I spoke with locals, they were all proud to be from London and were educated and supportive of what was going on in their country. This encouraged me to take more pride in the amazing country that I am from and stay educated on current events within the United States.”

Mourot and her fellow ATU students received scholarship assistance, including funds from the Miller Center for Global Engagement at Arkansas Tech, that helped make the trip possible.

“Thankfully, these scholarships through the Miller Center and other organizations covered the majority of the expenses of the trip,” said Mourot. “I would encourage every student at ATU, regardless of major or classification, to participate in a study abroad trip. Studying abroad in London allowed me to connect with nursing students in other levels, grow closer with my professors and meet students from other universities pursuing health care-related degrees. Studying abroad helped me gain independence and confidence in traveling. Studying abroad will leave you feeling refreshed, inspired and more knowledgeable in your area of study.”

Visit www.atu.edu/studyabroad to learn more about study abroad and study away opportunities for ATU students.