Study Abroad Considerations for Pre-Health Students

Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity for students to get out of their comfort zone and learn in a different culture! K-State has a variety of study abroad programs to choose from. For pre-health students, there are many benefits to studying abroad and many considerations to factor in as you decide when and where you want to study abroad.

Why Should Pre-Health Students Study Abroad?

Sydney Fetkenhauer, Education Abroad Advisor at K-State, says there are MANY reasons to consider studying abroad, including:

• Personal Growth: On a study abroad trip, students develop independence and self-confidence by navigating unfamiliar places and new cultures. Studying abroad can help you learn how to overcome difficult challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Change in Perspective: Experiencing cultures that are different than what you are familiar with can help you grow in respect for people around the world and learn to appreciate the similarities and differences between cultures. As a pre-health student, you can pursue study abroad opportunities that allow you to learn about differences in the healthcare system of the country you visit.
• Development of Transferable Skills: In different countries, you will learn to communicate with people from a different culture and may even pick up a new language. In addition, finding a way to get to the train station on time while abroad is an example of a task you will learn out of necessity, but without even realizing it you will learn transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management through those tasks.
• Career Readiness: Not every student who applies to professional school has a study abroad experience on their application. Your exposure to a new culture and talking about what you gained from that experience on your application can help set you apart.

Knowing that professional schools seek out candidates who possess competencies such as cultural awareness, cultural humility, communication, and adaptability, studying abroad is a great opportunity to continue developing into a well-rounded applicant and future healthcare professional.

Pre-Health Study Abroad Considerations:

With prerequisite classes to complete and extracurricular activities to consider, there are many questions pre-health students should ask as they consider studying abroad.

• In what region of the world would you like to study abroad, if you have a preference?
• What is your level of comfortability with studying abroad? Would you prefer a big city, or a smaller town to study in? Do you want to study abroad independently, or go on a KSU faculty-led trip?
• How long do you want to be abroad? There are options for study abroad that span from a week-long trip all the way to a full academic year.
• How can you prepare for the culture shock of a study abroad experience?
• If your professional school programs of choice require prerequisite coursework, will they accept international courses to fulfill those requirements? (Many professional schools require prerequisite courses to be completed at a regionally accredited US institution)

If you are considering studying abroad, we recommend meeting with the education abroad office sooner than later to explore your options. In addition, meet with your major advisor and pre-health advisor to discuss a study abroad timeline that would work best with your coursework and professional school goals.

Pre-Health in Costa Rica – Summer 2025

The KSU Pre-Professional and Exploratory Advising Center is launching a new study abroad program specifically for Pre-Health students in May of 2025!

• Trip Dates: May 19 – June 2, 2025
• Course and Credits: Practicum in Pre-Health (DAS 240) – 1 K-State undergraduate credit
• Program Type: Faculty-led (Sydney Fetkenhauer, Education Abroad Advisor; and Sherryl Allen, Health Professions Advisor)
• Program Costs: see program website

Trip will include:

• Hands-on learning and 40 hours of shadowing experiences in various health settings
• Engaging with the local community through service and outreach
• Experiencing Costa Rican culture and their healthcare system
• Sightseeing and exploring Costa Rica’s natural beauty

View more information, including program highlights, program costs and financial aid, and application information on the KSU Education Abroad website.

**Special thanks to Sydney Fetkenhauer, KSU Education Abroad Advisor, for contributing to this blog.