TAMPA, FL (April 25, 2024) --Studying abroad has long been one of the best ways a student can become multilingual and enhance their academic career while gaining new life experiences, but did you know education abroad is not just about learning new languages? This summer Anna Kovaleski, a pre-med Biomedical Sciences student at USF, is going to do a clinical rotation at a pediatric clinic or hospital in La Paz, Bolivia. Anouchka Mondestin, a Psychology major who is planning on attending law school after she graduates is heading to Florence, Italy. Both work in USF’s Education Abroad Office and, while they already have experience traveling outside their home countries to pursue their education – Mondestin is from Haiti originally and Kovaleski is from Brazil – this will be their first study abroad venture outside of the U.S.
Kovaleski is part of a new partnership USF has with Child Family Health International (CFHI), a non-profit organization dedicated to global health education. “I plan on going to medical school and becoming a doctor so I feel like this experience will help solidify my career decision and bring a new perspective of healthcare through a different cultural lens” says Kovaleski.
Ten other students will be joining Kovaleski in Bolivia. They will engage in cultural activities outside of the classroom as well. “I look forward to visiting museums or other culturally significant landmarks around the capital. I’m also planning on visiting the Salar de Uyuni which is the largest and highest salt desert in the world,” she said.
Mondestin said she had never considered the possibility of doing a study abroad program until she started working in the Education Abroad office last summer. She quickly learned that the Florence program is one of the most popular trips offered by USF. She almost immediately began petitioning her parents to let her go. “I even made a Power Point presentation to show them,” she laughs. “They were a little nervous about it, but it doesn’t feel like you’re traveling alone when you do one of these programs. USF faculty and support staff will be there, plus about five of my friends are going too.”
Both are receiving academic credit on their programs. While in Italy, Mondestin will take some elective courses, including a class called “Food, Health, and Wellness.” Following that she’ll take a three-week course that serves as a cultural introduction to the country. Kovaleski will gain hands-on experience learning from local physicians, residents, medical students, and nurses who work in wards such as obstetrics, oncology, inpatient, infectious disease, nephrology, and impairments. “Understanding the socioeconomic and cultural barriers people face in accessing medical services is a primary aspect of the Bolivia program,” she said.
While the clinical rotation program in Bolivia is new, USF’s partnership with Florence University of the Arts (FUA) goes back to 2012 and the popularity of the program has exploded enrolling hundreds of USF students every year. Jim Pulos, the Associate Director of USF’s Education Abroad Office estimates that overall USF has sent over 3,000 students to Italy since 2012. Students can take multiple courses while there and have the choice of going for 6 weeks during Summer A or B, or 12 weeks for Summer C.
The program has grown so much USF now has specialized programs in Italy for the College of Business, the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Psychology, and other social and behavioral sciences. Students can take required courses for their major and/or choose from dozens of electives. In addition to courses in Italian language and culture, classes offered at FUA include Culinary Arts, Business, Political Science, Psychology, Literature, Studio Art, Art History, History, and many more. Students also get to visit significant cultural sites such as the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi, a bell tower by Giotto, the Galleria dell'Accademia (which displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture), and the Uffizi Gallery (which exhibits Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation”).
“We aim to have students be travelers, not just tourists,” Pulos explained. “Not that there’s anything wrong with being a tourist, but the difference is a traveler really tries to immerse themselves into the country and the culture and that’s what our programs are designed to do, while also providing an outstanding academic foundation.”
Part of the immersion experience often includes staying with local families which is what Kovaleski will do in the Bolivia program. Students in the Florence program live near FUA in the centro storico (historical section) in modestly furnished apartments. They have bedrooms and shared bath accommodations and an equipped kitchen with utilities included. Pulos himself has gone to Florence numerous times and always raves about the experience. “I once lived around the corner from Michaelangelo’s house!”
Mondestin and Kovaleski said their jobs as recruiters for the Education Abroad office inspired them to not only plan their own trips but also do presentations in clubs and classrooms talking to other students about study abroad programs. “It expands your education so much,” Mondestin said. “By being in Italy I should be able to experience a completely different type of law as Italy is part of the European Union and uses civil law; it’s a bit different from the U.S. system of law. I also plan on helping students in the future who are interested in studying abroad.” Mondestin is also planning other excursions in Europe while she’s there such as Barcelona, Greece, and the south of France.
To prepare Mondestin and Kovaleski, joined one of the over 20 “Connect” events this Spring term where students were able to meet with their peers going on the same study abroad program. They learned about popular local events, foods, climate, and enjoy connecting with one another. These events also helped students who have never traveled abroad become more prepared and learn from those who have.
While faculty-led programs are all booked for this summer, there are still opportunities for students to apply for study abroad programs, internships, and research opportunities through our affiliated partner programs.
When asked if she had any advice for other students who might be considering studying abroad, Mondestin says, "Just do it! It's so worth it!"
