Over the years, Rudolphi has found that students who are often unsure of the specialty area they want to pursue upon graduation walk away from their study abroad experience with a clearer sense of both passion and purpose.

“Without words, lectures or powerpoints, students are naturally curious about the new healthcare setting,” said Rudolphi, who has taught courses in Evidence-Based Practices in Healthcare (BVI) and the History, Culture and Health in the British Virgin Islands. “They observe and then question the practices they see while working alongside other healthcare professionals. In groups, they later present their observations while also sharing the evidence that supports or refutes the [health] practice. Sometimes students discover some of the most  obscure island remedies actually have evidence that support them.”

The senior nursing instructor shared more about her time teaching overseas. 

Q: What’s the difference between teaching material in Delaware vs. abroad?

Rudolphi: Traveling abroad is very experiential. That said, I require prep work and introduce course materials early, using different modalities, so that throughout the trip, students are learning by recalling things previously taught. Traditional lecturing and powerpoints are not as effective. I often tell my students that I trick them into learning… and the learning really sticks. 

Q: Fill in the blank. Students who choose this study abroad experience tend to be…

Rudolphi: My student's have different interests. Some travel abroad primarily because they want to have an additional opportunity to experience healthcare in a different country. Some are very outgoing and love to travel and are excited to learn more about the Caribbean.  However, some go abroad with me because they are a little shy and view this as a nice way to break out of their shell. Regardless, I find that all students who return home are changed in some way. Exposure to the rich culture while working alongside healthcare providers inside an acute care hospital provides an experience that is life changing.  Additionally, it is very common to have the students develop deep bonds with each other that become lasting friendships.

Q: What’s your advice to anyone traveling to the Virgin Islands for the first time?

Rudolphi: Slow down, smile and always greet people you meet: Say good morning, good afternoon and good night.

Q: What have the Virgin Islands taught you?  

Rudolphi: I grew up in the Caribbean and enjoy sharing the culture with the students. They arrive as tourists and quickly adapt and begin to act like islanders. The British Islanders usually view Americans as a little rigid and uptight. It’s a gradual thing, but somewhere around week two or three, the students relax and go more with the flow. With this comes a transformation that also involves a sense of confidence in the healthcare setting, as well as a comfort in navigating inside the local community.

Q: Any obscure pieces of trivia about the islands that you love sharing at parties?

Rudolphi: Students are fascinated by this one: When I walk down the main street with 14 students, each local will greet us and say good morning 15 times (a good morning to each and every one of us). 

Q: What’s something from the Virgin Islands that you’d love to see the rest of America adopt?

Rudolphi: Friendliness and a true sense of community

Q: Do you do anything differently now, as a result of your time spent there? 

Rudolphi: I try to remember my roots and upbringing. Living in America, I have found I begin to change at times. Returning to the islands and slowing down is a reminder to me of what is really important in life. This is good for me. It resets me.

Q: What’s your most memorable study abroad story? 

Rudolphi: Nothing ever goes according to plan. Once we were in a terrible hotel where one of the room’s toilets projectile-splashed across the bathroom with each flush. Rather than complaining, the entire group gathered around the toilet, flushed and all of us immediately ran as fast as we could in the other direction. It was the funniest thing to watch.

Another cool story happened in 2022 when we were relaxing on a pier, and a local tour guide (who had befriended Richard Branson) offered to give us a tour of Necker Island. We were given the full tour of Sir Branson's private island — grass tennis courts, pool, beachside party shack, wind and solar electricity generating system,  as well as all his exotic animals, including tortoises, lemurs, miniature ponies and pink flamingos, which the students fed. One student who really enjoyed playing with the lemurs said that it was the most exciting day of her life.

Study abroad

Students who would like to learn more and explore study abroad options for the 2024 winter session and beyond should attend the Study Abroad Fair, Sept. 6, 2-4pm in Trabant University Center multipurpose rooms (with free UDairy ice cream).  The Center for Global Programs and Services offers more information about the application process, scholarships and financing. Please also visit the UD Abroad Blog for student perspectives on the study abroad experience.  

From Delaware to the World

2023 marks the 100-year anniversary of study abroad, pioneered at the University of Delaware in 1923 when UD language professor and World War I veteran Raymond Kirkbride took eight students to France for their junior year.  Today, UD boasts more than 100 study abroad programs in 40-plus countries and has an international student population that hails from over 100 countries. For more, visit udel.edu/studyabroad100.