During an Emergency Care class, students learned how to put a gurney in an ambulance.

Gaining a global perspective in healthcare can significantly enhance both academic and career goals. Florence University of the Arts (FUA) offers Health Science courses that present you with an exceptional opportunity to learn through case studies, observations, and experiences about the healthcare system in Italy. These courses provide hands-on experiences and valuable observations, leaving a lasting impact on academic pursuits and preparation for medical school.

The direct experience serves as a vital bridge between classroom learning and the practical demands of medical practice. By immersing yourself in real-world scenarios and gaining exposure to healthcare settings, you can develop crucial skills and insights. Courses are offered during fall, spring, and summer terms, giving you flexibility to tailor your academic schedule to fit your needs and goals.

An EMT Public Health minor in the U.S. found immense value in understanding the intricacies of Italy’s pre-hospital system. OA shared, “I appreciated learning more about how the pre-hospital system works in Italy and what the differences in practice, rank, and treatments are in Italy.” Learn more about programs available at FUA here. 

A group hug while teaching at an elementary school

Samples Health Science courses available at FUA:

• Comparative Health Systems and Policies – with Service Learning
• Endemics, Epidemics and Pandemics
• Clinical Observation
• Drug Abuse and Behavioral Addiction
• Biomedical Ethics
• Public Health: Policy and Community
• Clinical Practice in  Healthcare; Emergency, Geriatric, Pediatric, Social Work
• Internship: Public and Community Healthcare

Here are a few testimonials from some Anonymous students who took Health Science classes in Florence:

Emergency Healthcare & Health Sciences Course:

• My biggest job this shift was cleaning, holding items, and carrying things. Accuracy in communication was good they didn’t need a whole lot but when they did need something I was ready. Something I thought was interesting was when Lorenzo tied a pillowcase around the 99-year-old women’s jaw. I didn’t think you had to tie it shut but I learned that when you die your jaw relaxes which opens then it will contract and lock.
• Throughout this experience, I have had many positive interactions and have learned more than I ever would in a classroom.
• On this shift, I was able to observe and learn how calls on the BRAVO ambulance usually go and practice using the stretcher, loading it on and off of the ambulance and situating a conscious patient onto it.
• Today I did a lot of stretcher maneuvering and it is harder than it looks. I found it challenging to maneuver the stretcher in the way that I wanted. It turns a little differently than you would expect. I asked my team member for some tips and he told me that you have to anticipate turns. Through practice and taking his advice, I was able to overcome this challenge.
• We arrived at the trauma call with the patient in his bed complaining of left hip pain. We could see that his leg was externally rotated. I mobilized a lot of hard skills on this call. I went with a team member to get the stretcher and backboard and then I helped to roll the patient to get him onto the backboard. After helping to secure the patient, I assisted in lifting the backboard and bringing it to the stretcher which we left outside due to the stairs. Then I helped to secure the patient to the stretcher and load him onto the ambulance. Our patient was cold, so I helped to keep him covered with a blanket.
• I genuinely enjoyed today so much. I loved the people I worked with and felt like I belong. They helped me feel so connected with them and each case and that is all I could ask for. Today I learned how to set up the oxygen, insert medicine into the oxygen mask, learned more about ECG, and filling out information. I also participated in hands-on activities like applying the blood pressure cuff, operating the monitor, using a stethoscope, carrying the patient, and helping apply the ECG stickers. I think who you work with really has a major impact on your mood after and during the shift. During this shift we only had 3 calls, but I wasn’t ever bored because I was constantly communicating and getting to know the people I was working with.

Community Engagement Course:

• Afterwards she and the other volunteers invited me to lunch and to eat with them, which made me feel so welcome. Even though they spoke in Italian the whole time they would include me and it made me feel so good, right at home because I love hanging out with my coworkers at home. My main job this shift was hooking up the equipment helping to take their vitals and carrying equipment. I talked to Juliet a lot and tried speaking Italian with her she was so helpful. I honestly loved this shift. Everyone was so nice and fun and really appreciated it. It was still a little difficult understanding what was happening with all the patients, but it was a little clearer and the volunteers helped me.
• I was felt very lucky to have such a good team during my first shift. I hope they are all like this because it was amazing. The group leader and the ambulance driver spoke good English and therefore we could communicate and talk. I am working on my Italian so I can be able to communicate with my team in the future in case they don’t speak English.
• I was able to practice some of the Italian I know without the stress of not being able to communicate and I was also able to get a good introduction to the ambulance.
• Overall, this was a good shift. I enjoyed talking to the volunteers and catching up with Lexi. This is my 6th shift and I am starting to become a lot more comfortable with the volunteers and the overall pattern of working here. I felt very welcomed this shift and it is such a great feeling because I am so far from home.
• Today was a long day and we ended at 8:15 pm instead of 7 pm. At the end of my shift, I was exhausted and hungry. However, I was happy to help all the people we helped today. If we had endedexactly at 7 pm there would be people not getting the fastest care. In the worst-case scenario, this could be a factor of life or death. As hungry and tired as I was I could easily wait to help those in need.
• I have loved being a part of this organization because of the people who work here and the people we get to help.
• Overall, this experience thus far has been something I will remember for the rest of my life. I am very lucky to feel so welcomed by the volunteers and workers at Misericordia di Firenze.
• I was very connected to this shift and was able to practice what I had learned throughout. It was pretty sad leaving this place because I feel like I just started. It doesn’t seem real that I am done. I hate saying goodbyes but I am very happy I was able to say goodbye to some of my favorite people. This was honestly an experience of a lifetime, that I will never forget.
• Looking back, I am so extremely grateful for this experience and everything it has taught me! It was incredible to see and partake in this work and being part of the Misericordia was a monumental part of my semester abroad. Thank you for making this possible!

Written by: Jasmine Marecle, SAI Senior Academic Relations Manager