Sophomore nursing student discusses Cyprus study abroad trip during Global Health Week 2024

During West Virginia University’s Global Health Week 2024, sophomore WVU School of Nursing student Braeden Thornton presented “Nursing Care and Education in Cyprus.”

Thornton’s presentation about his summer semester abroad in Cyprus discussed the country of Cyprus, what he learned and what he experienced on his trip abroad.

He shared that Cyprus is a European country with the top third of the country being occupied by Turkey. It is an island with clear waters and a diverse population. Thornton noted the hot island temperatures and their vibrant nightlife during the presentation. He said he even got to cook and enjoy local Greek cuisine while he was there.

Thornton toured Nicosia General Hospital, a 456 bed, level-one trauma unit. He learned that the hospital treats the entire island, so the citizens in rural parts of the island focus on holistic care because they have less access to the main health care system. One thing Thornton liked particularly about the hospital was the 56-person dialysis unit and its transportation system that was able to ensure patients get to and from their appointments. Additionally, he created connections with people in healthcare from all over the world.

While abroad, he took a health systems class and an ethics class. Thornton said he enjoyed learning about the difference in health care systems between the United States and Cyprus. However, his biggest takeaway from the experience was what he learned about treating his patients.

“Remember, for us it’s work. For them, it’s the worst days of their lives or their last,” Thornton said. “Stop looking at patients as numbers or a diagnosis, call them by their name.”

Thornton never thought he would be able to study abroad, but with help from the ASPIRE office he was able to do so. They facilitated a scholarship for him, the Gilman Scholarship, their team helped him with his application for funding for the trip. He said without institutional help he would not have had this great experience. He wants others to know they can study abroad too.

The School of Nursing has multiple study abroad opportunities. The Cyprus trip consists of a month abroad visiting community hospitals and learning comparative healthcare contexts. The students take two courses and get to indulge in the culture while meeting new people. For more information about study abroad opportunities, contact Dana Friend, the coordinator of global programs.

Global Health Week is a week-long event sponsored by the West Virginia University School of Medicine Global Health Program. It held daily presentations in the Health Sciences Center about many topics regarding health globally, like the impact of the Ukrainian War, and global dentistry.