The U of A Rome Center has begun hosting students from the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. A cohort of 13 nursing students spent the Fall 2021 semester in the program, adding to the growing number of academic disciplines that the Rome Center offers for U of A students.

The nursing students had the rare opportunity to participate in clinicals and lessons with Italian healthcare workers at Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, one of the most prestigious hospitals in Europe. Twenty additional students are expected to attend in Fall 2022.

The students learned alongside Italian nursing students, giving them the experience of practicing medicine in an international environment. The Rome Center program for nursing students is one of the only programs of its kind in Rome, allowing students from the U.S. to add global experience to their academic and clinical training.

Hope Ballentine, a faculty member of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, led the first cohort of students in Rome.

"We feel really fortunate that this program has come to fruition, and we hope to continue it for many years to come," Ballentine said. "We could not have made this possible without the diligent work of the faculty and staff at the Rome Center who worked tirelessly to ensure our students would have an exceptional experience, both educationally and culturally. I feel certain the experiences our nursing students had in Rome will positively impact the care they provide to their future patients."

The agreement between the Rome Center and the medical center is an opportunity for all students at the U of A who are interested in health sciences, said Francesco Bedeschi, director of the U of A Rome Program.

"The Gemelli Hospital is recognized as one of the best hospitals in Europe," Bedeschi said. "These partnerships allow us to expand the scope of the study-abroad experience for Arkansas students. The added value of the Rome Program is to operate as a centralized hub in a network of relationships throughout the city of Rome that involves other universities, research institutes and companies, all at the service of our students and their professional and human growth."

Abbey Suess, a junior at the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, studied in Rome in the first cohort of nursing students. The experience allowed her to obtain her clinical hours at one of the leading research and care hospitals in the world, and exceeded all expectations, she said.

"During our hours, we spent time getting hands-on learning in units like the NICU, Pediatric ICU, Pediatric Oncology, Wound Care and Neonatal/Pediatric Surgery," Suess said. "I have met some of the most amazing people and been able to travel to some incredible places. The staff at the UARK Rome center went above and beyond to help us."

Suess said the nursing students lived in apartments close the Rome Center, which allowed the nursing students to connect with other students at the Rome Center who were studying architecture, fashion, finance and other interests.  

About the University of Arkansas Rome Center: Founded in 1989, the University of Arkansas Rome program has over 30 years of experience providing study abroad programs and cultural immersion initiatives. Serving as the European hub for the University of Arkansas, the Rome Program offers a variety of courses in architecture, arts, fashion, global studies, journalism, communication, business, health sciences and Italian language and culture. The center is located within the renowned palace of Palazzo Taverna, giving students an engaging experience in the heart of Rome's rich culture. The Rome Center offers an educational experience that replaces the traditional classroom with a didactic hands-on approach. Staff and faculty are dedicated to the academic and personal growth of every student.