College of Charleston student Logan Bamonte’s summer study abroad course made a significant impact on her healthcare career goals
While studying abroad in Reggio Emilia, Italy, through University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), I registered for a class called Models of Teaching. The course showed me how different teaching philosophies can influence student learning and engagement. Each class included thoughtful discussions and hands-on activities whenever possible. Reflection was always encouraged, which often sparked some insightful conversations that I really enjoyed.
As someone who loves being in nature, one of my favorite topics was outdoor education. Since our school was right beside the park in the city center, we were able to experience this approach firsthand while enjoying a beautiful day outside. It was a lovely highlight of my time in Italy.
What truly set this class apart, though, was that we could explore the internationally-recognized Reggio Emilia Approach® at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre in person. Visiting the community Ateliers and seeing how the “100 languages of children” philosophy originated and continues to shape classrooms today was incredibly meaningful.
On a broader level, this course helped me think about how to better serve both students and patients in my future role as a physician and health educator.
Even if you don’t plan to become a teacher in the traditional sense, I believe this course could have a lasting impact on you. There is so much value in figuring out how other people learn, and those insights can be applied to any profession. You can connect the material to any of your personal interests because the course is certainly flexible enough to do so. A huge part of the course was having conversations about education that stretched from the local to the global scale.
For me, I was able to link teaching with my long-term goals in family medicine and community health. My final project for the course focused on incorporating social and emotional learning into a physical education setting, while designing accommodations for diverse learners. We were given creative freedom, so I took the opportunity to connect the assignment to my interests in health education, healthcare, and supporting individuals with special needs.
The project was a unique blend of getting students moving while encouraging community and respect for others, which are important lessons no matter the age. This perspective is important to me, as inclusivity and empathy are at the heart of both good teaching and good patient care.
Outside of class, I picked up even more great ideas just by living in Italian culture for the summer. Have you heard of the Slow Food movement? It highlights how health and well-being are connected to culture, community, and everyday choices. That perspective continues to influence me, and I know it will shape my approach as a future physician. This is especially important when thinking about nutrition, preventative medicine, and how to encourage healthier lifestyles in a way that feels sustainable and meaningful to patients.
Overall, my time in Reggio Emilia reminded me of how reassuring intentionality can be. There was a big emphasis on community as time spent together was prioritized, and I was able to create friendships that I plan to maintain now that we’re back home, too!
Find more information about the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Reggio Emilia program and how to start your study abroad on the USAC website.
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