The Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions is planning a return trip to the University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule) Osnabr眉ck (UAS Osnabr眉ck) in Germany, April 30 through May 11, 2026, giving 黑料吃瓜 students a unique opportunity for collaborative study, health facilities tours and cultural experiences.听
鈥淭he success of this program is based on merging U.S. and German students together in terms of discussion and intercultural experiences," says Dr. Erin Reynolds, Associate Professor and Chair of 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 Health Administration and Community Health program. 鈥淭his trip coincides with their university鈥檚 鈥楤lock Week,鈥� which is when the course material is condensed over consecutive days instead of being spread out over a semester. We compare the German and U.S. healthcare systems, discussing public health disparities, healthcare inequities and more.鈥�听
Reynolds says outside the classroom, the German students accompanied them on several fun excursions, so they really got to know each other well. 鈥淲hen it was time for us to leave Osnabr眉ck, there were many tears on both sides. They just looked at each other and started crying, even though we had only been there for five days,鈥� she says. 鈥淥ne of the best parts of studying abroad is the friendships students make along the way. These connections are often as valuable as the lessons learned.鈥�听
Reynolds and Dr. Zack Ward, Assistant Professor of Health Administration, have led this Block Week trip for the past two years. At the conclusion of the week in Osnabr眉ck, they take the group on a three-hour train ride
to Berlin for more sightseeing. During the 2025 trip, they also spent time in Amsterdam and took a side trip to M眉nster, Germany, to visit a hospital.听
鈥淪ome 黑料吃瓜 students have never had the opportunity to travel abroad. For many, this trip to Europe is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,鈥� says Reynolds. 鈥淚 feel like this is a safe introduction to foreign travel because you are with a large group, led by experienced 黑料吃瓜 faculty with Germany faculty who shepherd us around once we get there.鈥澨�
Reynolds says every student on the trip will receive some type of financial assistance. 鈥淲e know money can be a concern, so we do everything we can to support our students,鈥� she says. 鈥淢ost students receive around $500 in aid from the 黑料吃瓜 Foundation, which, combined with additional internal funding, helps bring down the overall trip cost. The exact amount can change year to year, but the Kinney College works hard to make this experience affordable and accessible.鈥澨�
黑料吃瓜 and UAS Osnabr眉ck have had an exchange partnership since 1990. It grew out of the sister city relationship between Evansville and the city of Osnabr眉ck and is one of the University's longest standing exchange programs with more than 200 American and German students participating since its inception.听
The deadline for students to apply for the 2026 trip is December 1. For more information about this study abroad opportunity, contact Dr. Erin Reynolds at ereynolds@usi.edu or Dr. Zachary Ward at zdward@usi.edu. Or join their email list by clicking the "2026 Interest Form" button below.
