HAGS: Had a Great Summer!

With summer coming to an end, most Baylor University students returned to campus after spending their vacation at home or with family. Others, however, took a different route and spent their summer exploring the world through Baylor’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences study abroad programs. Join us now, as we look back at a recap of the summer’s study abroad trips! 

Apparel Studies

The Apparel Studies program, within the Department of Human Sciences and Design (HSD), provided its students with an immersive learning experience. While the trip normally encompasses multiple countries throughout Europe, this year it focused exclusively on Italy, allowing for an in-depth history of fashion and its progression over the years.

While in Florence, students attended the Pitti Immagine Uomo—the premier trade show for men’s fashion in the world—and experienced guided tours of fashion museums such as the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, the Gucci Garden, Palazzo Pucci, and the Museum of Costume and Fashion. They also toured the Textile Museum in Prato and Armani/Silos in Milan. 

Students also had the opportunity to visit some of Italy’s cultural attractions, including the Palazzo Vecchio, Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, the Accademia Gallery, Florence Duomo, and the Fondazione Prada in Milan. 

“We were one of nine study abroad programs chosen to be visited by President Livingstone and the First Gentleman this summer—it was a huge honor for both the program and the college,” Associate Professor Lorynn Divita, PhD, said. “They joined us for a cooking class where we made an appetizer, fresh pasta, two different sauces, and panna cotta.”  

Interior Design

The Interior Design program, within HSD, based its study abroad in Florence, Paris, and London. In each city, the group took trips out to the countryside to visit at least one country house or palace to experience amazing architecture that is rooted in or responding to the Renaissance. 

The class went to Villa La Rotonda and to the French chateau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, for a candlelit tour. At the Louvre, Clinical Assistant Professor Ann Theriot, MA, ASID, NCIDQ, taught about the exhibits on site. 

“The opportunity to experience the architecture, interiors, and furnishings in-person makes such a difference in the students’ ability to understand the historic influences of the period architecture that they would normally learn in the classroom,” Theriot said. “This kind of learning results in greater retention overall and usually inspires a higher appreciation for historic period art, design and architecture.” 

Health Sciences Studies

The Health Sciences Studies (HSS) program, within the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation (HHPR), traveled to Costa Rica for a unique study abroad experience that merged cultural immersion and real-world medical experience. 

The students had the opportunity to serve Costa Ricans living in Los Huevitos, Alajuela and Cartago, San José provinces. During clinic, they triaged and treated around 50 patients, and they learned different types of sutures (with techniques practiced on a sponge) from local doctor, Adrian Acevedo. 

While service was at the heart of the trip, faculty and students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and practice their Spanish. They learned about the Central American culture and landscape as they visited Poás Volcano National Park, a local medicinal plant herbarium called El Arco, and even zip lined through the rainforest at Punta Leona. 

“This study abroad allows our students and faculty to grow—we challenge ourselves to be smarter, kinder, and more inclusive throughout the experience,” Clinical Assistant Professor Kim Smith, said. “We believe these skills are transferable, and that they will positively impact our ability to serve our future healthcare patients.”

Public Health

The Department of Public Health offered a multidisciplinary study abroad experience in Kigali, Rwanda. The Global Health in Africa program allowed students to explore the cultural, community, environmental, economic, and political influences on global health. They also discussed the effectiveness of healthcare-related policies and practice.

The group traveled to many different locations throughout the East African country, including local communities, Akagera National Park (the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species), and a reconciliation village (where survivors and perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide live side-by-side). Through these opportunities, students were able to experience intellectual, physical, and spiritual levels of health. 

“Often times students come in with a misunderstanding of the country and the experience they will have,” Beth Lanning, PhD, MCHES, Associate Chair and Professor, said. “Once they are here—and fully immersed in the country and its vast culture—they truly begin to gain an understanding and respect for it.”