New study abroad opportunity in Cyprus available for WVU Nursing students

The WVU School of Nursing will soon offer its students an opportunity to study abroad for a full semester in Cyprus, where they can experience a new culture and learn about healthcare in another country.

The program will be piloted with one student for Spring 2024, then eight to 10 spaces will be available beginning in Spring 2025.

Dana Friend, Coordinator of Global Programs for the WVU School of Nursing, said the idea has been in the works for the better part of a decade. She and her husband, Christopher Martin, who is the Director of the WVU Health Sciences Global Engagement Office, visited colleagues and toured the University of Nicosia roughly eight years ago to learn more about opportunities for students.

The COVID-19 pandemic put the study abroad opportunity on hold, which had initially been planned as a summer semester. However, Friend really wanted to offer students an immersive, challenging experience of a full semester abroad.

“It’s a beautiful, safe, English-speaking country, which makes the trip easier,” Friend said. “The University representatives were so kind, welcoming and receptive to collaborating.”

After connecting with Owen Widders, a nursing student who was highly interested in studying in Cyprus, Friend met again with University of Nicosia in September to finalize the course work and excursions. Widders will kick off the program for the spring semester, traveling to Cyprus from January through May.

“I’ve had so many students study abroad and it impacts them in a variety of ways,” Friend said. “They learn about income disparities, the role of the nurse, how food impacts health and how healthcare is delivered in various healthcare settings around the world, which can impact how they provide care for patients at home.”

To learn more about studying for a summer semester in Cyprus, visit University of Nicosia Global Semesters or WVU Abroad, or contact Dana Friend at dfriend@hsc.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu