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The Ireland trip is one of several Study Abroad opportunities Pitt State students are participating in this summer, reflecting the university’s commitment to global learning and engagement.
Led by Professor Barbara McClaskey, the program was designed to broaden students’ understanding of healthcare delivery in a global context while deepening their appreciation of Irish culture.
Participants included six undergraduate students, four students from the Class of 2026 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and two graduate students.
“Our goals were to help students increase their understanding of healthcare perspectives in another country and to develop an appreciation for the culture and people of Ireland,” McClaskey said. “Academic visits to a hospital, a school of nursing, and a hospice allowed students to see those systems in action and engage with professionals and students abroad.”
Students visited sites such as Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and University College Dublin, and participated in educational and cultural tours throughout Dublin. They also interacted directly with Irish nursing students, an experience that left a lasting impression.
Kendal Armstrong, an incoming sophomore from Fort Scott, said the trip reinforced her passion for nursing while broadening her worldview.
“I wanted to go on this study abroad trip because I absolutely love to travel, and I have a strong desire to learn about cultural differences to better myself as a future nurse,” Armstrong said. “Experiencing healthcare and education systems in other countries helps broaden my perspective and improve my ability to care for diverse patients.”
One of the most meaningful aspects of the trip, Armstrong said, was discovering the shared goals among nursing students worldwide.
"It helped me feel more connected to them and made the experience very relatable. It changed my perspective on how, even though we are separated by oceans and land, we share very similar passions and goals in healthcare,” Armstrong said. “This made me feel more open-minded and appreciative of global similarities in nursing.”
Armstrong described visiting Irish healthcare facilities and connecting with students as highlights, along with an unexpected moment when the group’s bus became stuck on a narrow road.
“It turned into a great bonding experience,” she said. “Moments like that made the trip even more memorable.”
For Gracie Bott, an incoming senior from Liberal, Missouri, her first trip to another country provided valuable perspective on international healthcare systems.
“I wanted to Study Abroad in Ireland to see a different culture and gain insight into how other countries operate their healthcare systems,” Bott said. “I was hoping to compare the differences between the U.S. and Ireland and evaluate what works best.”
Bott said visits to healthcare and academic institutions, along with historical tours, enriched her understanding of both the profession and the country.
“These experiences gave us valuable knowledge about Ireland’s healthcare system and insight into nursing and medical programs at local universities,” she said. “The historical tours provided great education about the country, which I wasn’t well informed about before my trip.”
Among her favorite memories was learning traditional Irish sports.
“We learned to play Gaelic football, hurling, and handball at a local club in Dublin,” Bott said. “Then we toured Croke Park and learned about the history of Irish games. It was a super fun day.”
The Ireland program marks a return to international nursing study experiences under McClaskey’s leadership. From 1998 through 2010, she led annual trips to assist at a hospital in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, with more than 200 students participating before safety concerns ended the program.
“This is the first nursing study abroad trip since 2010, and it was incredibly successful,” McClaskey said. “The students were engaged, and the people we met in Ireland were extremely welcoming and informative. I would absolutely do it again.”
The experience also brought a meaningful full-circle connection: the parent of one student on the Ireland trip had previously participated in the Juarez program.
In addition to the nursing program in Ireland, Pitt State students are participating in several other Study Abroad opportunities this summer:
Additionally, 15 students are participating in individual 2- to 4-week programs in countries including France, Italy, India, Korea, Spain, China, and Taiwan.
Through these global experiences, Pittsburg State University continues to prepare students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Learn more: Pitt State Study Abroad
