ESTABLISHING A SHORT-TERM STUDY ABROAD COURSE ON AGING AND HEALTH CARE: FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS
2024

Study Abroad Course on Aging and Health Care

publication

Author Information

Author(s): Hermann Carla

Primary Institution: Indiana University Southeast

Hypothesis

What are the facilitators and barriers to establishing a short-term study abroad course on aging and health care?

Conclusion

The study identified both facilitators and barriers to implementing a short-term study abroad course focused on aging and health care.

Supporting Evidence

  • Collaboration with established courses and international experts facilitated the course's development.
  • Institutional support from the host university in Sweden was a key facilitator.
  • There was high interest among students for an international learning experience.
  • The course was available to students from any discipline.
  • The course was offered over a short-term (2 week) period.
  • Barriers included lack of institutional infrastructure to support study abroad.
  • Post-pandemic traveling concerns were noted as a barrier.
  • Students had limited knowledge regarding basic concepts of aging and healthcare.

Takeaway

This study looked at what helps and what makes it hard to create a short trip abroad for students to learn about aging and health care.

Methodology

The course was developed and implemented by Indiana University Southeast, focusing on healthcare and gerontology.

Limitations

The study faced limitations such as lack of institutional infrastructure and student knowledge about aging.

Participant Demographics

Students of any major were eligible to participate in the course.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2034

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