Portugal
Through a partnership with our sister university, Escola Superior de Saúde Santa Maria (ESSSM) in Porto, Portual, FranU students have the opportunity to explore aging and healthcare systems alongside local Portuguese students. This is a true exchange program—FranU also welcomes ESSSM students to our Baton Rouge campus, creating a collaborative, two-way learning experience that fosters lasting international relationships.
Italy
Discover how aging in place and intergenerational living are supported within the cultural fabric of Italian communities. Students will study alongside peers at the Pieve International School in Perugia, Italy, engaging in classroom discussions and hands-on learning focused on community-based elder care. The program concludes with a transition to Rome, Italy where students will explore healthcare in an urban setting and gain additional insight into Italy’s approach to aging and support services.
France
Explore faith-based healthcare and social outreach through the mission and history of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. Students will visit clinics, housing programs, and schools in Paris, France that reflect this tradition. The experience also includes a visit to the place where FranU’s founding mission began—offering a powerful connection between the University’s roots and its future. In addition, the program includes a visit to Versailles, France, where students will explore one of the most famous royal residences in the world and examine how historical social structures influenced access to healthcare.
Abroad Q&A
The program provides Master of Health Administration, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Nursing, and Certificate in Population Health students with a global, hands-on learning experience centered on aging, wellness, and healthcare systems. By exploring how other countries approach prevention and elder care, students gain cultural insight and practical knowledge that support both academic and professional growth, while reinforcing FranU’s mission to shape compassionate, culturally competent healthcare leaders.
Participants tour a variety of healthcare, educational and community-based institutions. These may include clinics, hospitals, universities, wellness centers and housing models that promote aging in place. Students engage with professionals in the field, gaining practical insight into global public health strategies and innovative approaches to supporting older adults in diverse settings.
Immersing themselves in another culture allows students to observe how social structures, public policy and cultural values impact population health. They see how countries invest in community wellness through accessible healthcare, transportation and social services, broadening their perspective on what it means to create supportive, inclusive environments for all ages.
Students often return with a deeper appreciation for global health, prevention strategies and person-centered care. Many feel more inspired and equipped to explore career opportunities in gerontology, public health, health systems leadership or community-based care. The program fosters critical thinking, cultural sensitivity and professional insight – skills that benefit students long after the trip ends.
The Gerontology Program at FranU offers immersive International Healthy Aging Courses that connect students with global communities and cross-cultural approaches to aging and wellness. These unique study abroad experiences deepen students’ understanding of aging across diverse settings while fostering leadership, empathy and real-world insight.