During the Spring 2025 break, Niagara College students participated in Be World Ready (BWR) International Field Studies (IFS), engaging in immersive learning experiences that brought global perspectives to life.
As part of its commitment to preparing globally minded and world-ready graduates, BWR has designed itineraries that blend cultural connections and hands-on experiences. Through these unique opportunities, students applied classroom learning in international settings while building industry knowledge and expanding their global competencies.
Costa Rica
The Costa Rica: Allied Health Programs itinerary offered NC students in these programs the opportunity to explore health practices, community wellness, and sustainability within a global context, while gaining intercultural insight and applied experience beyond the classroom.
The IFS included engagement in community-based initiatives, visits to a sustainable coffee farm, and participation in health-focused workshops.
“This was one of the most eye-opening, heartwarming experiences I have ever had – it was a crash course in humanity, resilience, and why healthcare matters,” said Practical Nursing student Caihong Yan. “One example was our time supporting the homeless community, helping run stations offering showers, medical check-ups, fresh laundry, and even just simple sandwiches–things most of us take for granted.”
“We met people who had so little but carried so much strength,” added Yan. “Hearing their stories and seeing how local healthcare workers fought to help them with limited resources changed how I see my own career. When we talk about patient care or public health, I get it on a deeper level now, because I have seen it in action.”
The itinerary offered a variety of other immersive experiences, allowing students to engage directly with Costa Rica’s healthcare systems and social support services.
“I spent valuable time at the drug rehabilitation centre with a young adolescent in the early stages of recovery, providing meaningful therapeutic and compassionate support,” said Victoria Beck, Practical Nursing student. “At the medical clinic, I assisted the doctor by taking vital signs, learning about their documentation process, and observing how health care operates. While shadowing staff at Metropolitano Hospital, I experienced coordinated care in a highly professional environment.”
Spain
The Barcelona, Spain itinerary allowed students from diverse NC programs to experience a combination of academic exploration with cultural immersion in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
The Barcelona IFS highlights included industry visits focused on sustainability and healthcare, and connections with local students from LCI Barcelona.
Highlights included industry visits focused on sustainability and healthcare, connections with local students from LCI Barcelona, and experiential learning activities such as a paella cooking workshop.
For Dental Hygiene student Kayla Laumann, the experience was a memorable way to conclude her studies at NC.
“Participating in this IFS truly enriched my time at Niagara College, especially as I wrap up my final term,” said Laumann. “Not many colleges offer such an incredible opportunity to explore new cultures while learning outside the classroom. I would absolutely recommend this program to other NC students.”
“One of my favourite moments was visiting the Sagrada Familia,” added Laumann. “I was amazed by its architecture and the history behind it–there were so many fascinating details about how and why it was built. I also really valued the friendships that formed throughout the trip.”
For more information about BWR, visit: www.beworldready.ca/
