Nursing Student in Australia: A Study Abroad Experience of a Lifetime

Studying abroad as a nursing major seems like a daunting challenge, considering the demanding schedule of coursework and clinical that is asked of these students. We are here to tell you, anything and everything is possible at Endicott.

Endicott women's lacrosse student-athlete Jackie Healy '19 studied abroad in Australia. Healy, a nursing major at Endicott, gave us an inside look into her experience and some tales of her trip to Rockhampton.

Give us an overall description of your trip.

I studied abroad in Australia at Central Queensland University (CQU) in Rockhampton. I arrived in Australia on June 29 and left on November 7. During my abroad experience, I went to various places along the coast of Australia. I went to Sydney where I saw the Opera House, Manly, Cairns where I went scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef as well as went skydiving! I also went to Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and Airlie Beach.

Describe your overall study abroad experience.

My overall experience really helped me grow as a person. Being really far away from home, and in a completely different time zone, forced me to become more independent. At first, not being able to talk to my family was really unsettling and often times, made me feel homesick, but I learned to embrace being on my own.

Why would you recommend studying abroad to other students?

I would recommend studying abroad to other students because it is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. When else in your lifetime, are you going to get to stay in a foreign country, and travel for four months?

What was the biggest lesson you learned?

The biggest lesson I learned was to hold myself accountable and be independent. Another lesson I learned was to never say no to an opportunity that could be once in a lifetime.

What was your favorite experience?

My favorite experience was going to Whitsunday Island in Airlie Beach. I've never seen water that blue or sand that white in my entire life.

Describe the educational side of the program.

Education wise, CQU was great. All international students are offered a course, Outdoor Pursuits, where you get to go canoeing, hiking, and surfing! The professors are very welcoming towards the international students and are always available if you need help.

Learn more about the endless study abroad opportunities available to Endicott students by visiting International Education on endicott.edu. 

Release originally posted by Endicott College Athletics & Recreation