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JRCERT Update

Study abroad experiences provide a set of rich learn- health care workforce in the selected city, London, is
ing opportunities that cannot be replicated elsewhere quite diverse, with 40.2% of employees being nonwhite.
and make this an especially important component of The typical program schedule includes 2 days at a
increasing global awareness and perspective taking. In host university medical center attending classes and
their article Student Intercultural Proficiency From shadowing local students, health care providers, or both
Study Abroad Programs, Clarke et al suggested that (see Figure 1). Examples of opportunities not available
participation in study abroad experiences can lead at home institutions include a pathology museum that
to multiple global-learning skills such as increased houses thousands of specimens dating back more than
openness to diversity, global-mindedness, increased a century and the institution’s cadaver laboratory. A
understanding of self-identity, and greater proficiency full-day walking tour with a medical historian exposes
in intercultural interactions. The study noted that students to a selection of cultural and medically rel-
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students described study abroad as life-changing, yet evant experiences unique to London, including the
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little empirical evidence exists to explain the nuances National Gallery, the Royal College of Physicians, the
and importance of this statement. Old Operating Theatre Museum, the British Museum,
and the Science Museum (see Figure 2). Students are
Clinical Study Abroad Program for fascinated to learn how medicine was portrayed in the
Radiography Students arts throughout the centuries.
The opportunity to participate in a nuclear Assigned student groups participate in pretravel
medicine study abroad partnership program with col- research to learn about various health care industry
leagues from Chattanooga State Community College models (eg, socialized medicine and the UK’s National
in 2018 prompted us to investigate developing a Health System), educational pathways, and routine
similar program for radiography students. After some protocols. Participants engage with students enrolled
preparatory work, the first short-term, radiologic in similar programs in another culture with different
technology–embedded clinical study abroad partner- standards of academic preparation and credential-
ship program was offered in 2020 under the auspices of ing. Group sharing on site with students, faculty,
the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies. and health care professionals has evolved into 2-way
Imaging students and faculty from 3 Tennessee com-
munity colleges (Chattanooga State Community
College, Columbia State Community College, and
Jackson State Community College) traveled to the
United Kingdom. The program intentionally prioritizes
including students who might be least likely to have
these experiences: first-generation college students,
underrepresented populations by discipline, financially
disadvantaged students, and nontraditional students.
Tennessee Student Engagement, Retention, and Success
Grants and institutional international studies fees par-
tially offset the cost of participation for students. As a
result of the program, students with limited previous
opportunities were able to travel internationally.
The program gives students an opportunity to work
directly with a diverse population of employees and
patients in a culturally unique city. This program’s on- Figure 1. Radiologic technology and emergency medical services
site partner is a racially diverse institution with 59.9% students prepared for their clinical rotations at St George’s Hospital in
of enrolled students being nonwhite. In addition, the London, England. Photo courtesy of the author.

72 asrt.org/publications
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2023. All rights reserved.