A world of opportunities available to student through scholarship
A GCU student is preparing to leave behind her family, including her beloved dog Rio, for the summer adventure of a lifetime.
Nursing Studies (Mental Health) student Taylor Leonard will spend four weeks in Nijmegen studying at the prestigious HAN University of Applied Sciences.
Taylor will head to the Netherlands on the 29th of May along with three other nursing students from GCU after learning about the opportunity through her lecturer, Tom McAleer.
She said: “The chance to experience how healthcare works in different countries really appealed to me. We’ve obviously got the NHS but that’s just what’s used here – I wanted to see how everything functions elsewhere.
“It’s more of a general healthcare course I’ll be on, so there will be nutritionists and pharmacists on the course too. There’s only about 15 people in my classes, so it’s quite small but I’m really looking forward to it.
“The Summer School overall is a bit like Camp America in that students apply from all over the world. It’s quite cool to think I’ll be studying alongside people from the likes of Hong Kong, Finland and Germany.”
Taylor added: “I’m excited for it, but I’m not sure how I’m going to cope for four weeks without my dog, Rio. He’s a chocolate Labrador and my big bear. I think it’s going to be difficult because the most I’ve been away from my family for is a week.”
During her four weeks abroad, Taylor will get the chance to further develop the knowledge she’s gained during the first two years of her course at GCU.
She explained: “I’ve got a different module each week. Week 1 is Creative Social Worker, week 2 is Challenges in Healthcare, week 3 is Research in Healthcare and week 4 is Psychological Healthcare.
Week 4 is probably the module I’m looking forward to most. It’ll be really interesting to hear about the type of interventions they have in the Netherlands and if I could potentially transfer some of their practices to my own patients in future.”
Despite the demands of four modules in four weeks, Taylor will still get plenty of opportunities to soak up everything Nijmegen and the Netherlands has to offer.
“My mum and dad go to Amsterdam every year for the Christmas markets and absolutely love it, so I’ve fancied going to the Netherlands for quite a while now.
“Classes are Monday to Friday and then at the weekends the University run different activities like day trips to Amsterdam.
“I’m actually also really looking forward to staying in the University’s accommodation - I’ll be in a full apartment along with the three other students from GCU. I also recently found it we have our own gym and spa, which is amazing!”
Taylor hopes her experience abroad will help boost her future career prospects, while helping her step out her comfort zone.
She said: “It’s something totally different and I’m going to be away from my family for four weeks, so it is a bit intimidating. However, I know this is a great opportunity for me. I know it will really help build my confidence with the way I deal with things. On placement, I think I sometimes second-guess myself but this will help give me a different perspective.
“I think it’s good to have options for future as well. Travel nursing is always something that’s interested me and I do like the idea of spending time in different countries.
“A lot of nurses end up working in Australia because they’re more respected and get paid more money. If I like it in the Netherlands then working abroad is certainly something I would consider in future.”
Find out more about Scholarships at GCU
By Ross Clark
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter