For many students, studying abroad is a chance to immerse in culture, language, and art. But for a growing number of American nursing students, Florence is becoming a destination not just for gelato and Renaissance masterpieces—but for clinical rotations, hands-on experience in local hospitals, and a better understanding of patient care on a global scale. 

Now in its second year, the nursing curriculum integration program at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) is doing something few study abroad programs attempt: placing undergraduate nursing students in clinical settings in a foreign country. The program, launched in partnership with Fairfield University, located in Fairfield, Connecticut, is expanding and looking to welcome new universities and students.

“We have a lot of nursing students who come to Italy… but only take general education or elective courses,” said Sofia Galli, an FUA Faculty member who oversees the academic structure. “It’s only in the past year that we’ve begun really pushing for students to take nursing courses—courses that match their curriculum back home, including clinical rotations.”

With 20 nursing students in the program, Galli believes the learning experience is enriched by exploring how healthcare is shaped by each country’s structure, social norms, and laws. “For the students, it’s very enriching to be exposed to a way of promoting health and ensuring a community’s well-being that they have not seen before.” 

The curriculum includes topics like Geriatric Healthcare, Biomedical Ethics, Health Assessment, and Communication in Virtual Care, and is designed to align with the requirements of nursing programs in the United States. Students complete their clinical hours at two local hospitals: Careggi and Santa Maria Nuova, both well-respected facilities in Florence. “We hope to keep expanding the collaboration," Galli said. “Last year we only worked with Careggi – both are great hospitals.” 

This experience, while academically rigorous, offers a rare opportunity to observe and participate in healthcare in an entirely different system. Italy’s public healthcare, ranked second in the world by the World Health Organization, uniquely contrasts the privatized structure most American students are familiar with.

“It’s very enriching for students to be exposed to different healthcare settings,” Galli explained. “Healthcare is shaped by sociology, laws, and social norms. Italy offers a different model of caregiving—free public healthcare, longer-term patient stays, and fewer staff specializing in narrow roles like in the U.S.”

For the students, the differences are eye-opening.

“We actually got to assist with more things than we might have in the U.S.,” said Emma Gomes, a nursing student from Fairfield. “Nurses here do a lot more themselves, and they don’t have the same kind of specialties. For example, there's no anesthesiologist—the doctor does it.”

Students also noted a deeper personal connection with staff and patients, despite the language barrier. “The nurses are so welcoming,” said student Caroline Brady. “They bring us cappuccinos when they know we are exhausted, let us into their nursing stations, they make us feel like part of the team.”

But communication challenges have required adaptability. Many of the patients are older and don’t speak English, forcing students to rely on observation, nonverbal cues, and the help of professional nurse tutors who translate and guide them.

“That’s a lesson that really sticks,” said another student, Alice Murchie. “It’s not just about speaking the same language—it’s about learning how to communicate with empathy and attention.”

The program’s impact extends beyond clinical skills. “This is their first clinical experience—ever—and they’re doing it abroad,” Galli said. “They grow immensely, not just professionally but personally. They gain practical skills, human skills, and resilience.”

With roughly 40 students in the cohort, most from Fairfield University, the program has already created a tight-knit learning community. Many students reflected on the close bonds they formed with peers, mentors, and patients. “It's something we’ll never get to experience again,” said Lauren Hoppe. “Being part of a different system, seeing how care is delivered—it changes your perspective on nursing and on people.”

Despite the cultural differences and challenges, the students overwhelmingly described their time in Florence as a highlight of their academic journey. While few said they’d want to work abroad permanently due to lower pay and stricter career mobility, they all agreed the experience gave them a broader, more compassionate view of nursing.

Looking ahead, FUA hopes to expand the program beyond its current partnership. “We want more universities to consider building clinical curriculum integration with us,” said Galli. “This isn’t just about Italy. It’s about preparing future nurses to think globally, to adapt, and to lead.”

As the world becomes increasingly connected, especially in healthcare, programs like this one offer a blueprint for how education can cross borders—not just for students, but for the betterment of patient care everywhere.