As seen in the Spring DU Review digital magazine

 

A group of sixteen senior nursing students, three alumni and three faculty members from Davenport University’s College of Health Professions traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, recently for a study abroad trip that exceeded all expectations. 

They spent eleven days exploring, learning and serving in Istanbul and returned home forever changed by the experience. Below, two Davenport nursing students and two alumni reflect on the trip and share their favorite moments.

To learn more about the Nursing Study Abroad trip, click here. 

Student reflections

Morgan Ware

The study abroad trip was Morgan Ware’s international travel debut, and one she won’t soon forget. 

“Traveling to Turkey was a life-changing and unforgettable experience full of human connection, and it provided me with a new level of academic and cultural understanding of what life is like in a different country,” she said.

Did anything surprise you?

What surprised me was the connection I felt with those around me, not only among my peers but also with the locals. It opened my eyes to the fact that, while we come from different backgrounds, have different upbringings, and have different life experiences, we are all the same; we’re all human.

What is your favorite memory of the trip?

For me, connecting with the locals was the most memorable part of the trip. I’ll never forget sitting in restaurants trying new dishes while the locals taught us Turkish words, and then we repaid the favor by teaching them the same words in English. We also shared stories about what it’s like to live in America, and they told us what it’s like to live in Turkey. 

How will this trip make you a better nurse?

This experience will make me a better nurse because it has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of human interaction and to feel a deeper connection to my peers, patients, family, friends and even strangers. It helped me change my perspective and be grateful for who I am and what I am capable of.

 

Anne Marie Eastman

Anne Marie Eastman has traveled abroad numerous times, but this trip was among her favorites.

“It was an indescribable experience and really was the trip of a lifetime,” she said. “I knew Turkey would be different from America, but Istanbul challenged my assumptions about religion, community and life in general. It taught me that density can create closeness, not chaos, and that faith doesn’t look the same for everyone.”

Did anything surprise you?

I was amazed by the nursing home we visited and shocked to hear they had zero deaths from COVID-19 during the pandemic. What astonished me is that the staff is so dedicated to their patients that they actually live in the facility with the residents.

What was your favorite memory of the trip?

This trip fed my curiosity and left me changed in ways I’m still processing, but three things really stood out. First, the scenery was absolutely stunning. Second was the food, because it was fresh and healthy, and last, but certainly not least, was how hospitable everyone was.

How will this trip make you a better nurse?

I have a desire and passion for holistic care, and learning about Turkey’s approach to this method of health care really inspired me.

 

Alumni reflections

Jenny Lewis

Jenny Lewis graduated from Davenport in 2025 with her BSN and currently works on medical-surgical units at Corewell Health’s Big Rapids and Reed City hospitals. She is also on the Special Pathogens Response Team for Corewell Health’s new Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center, located at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

She has been involved with Davenport’s Nurse Mentor Program for quite some time, first as a student and now as a mentor. The Nurse Mentor Program pairs nursing students with alumni to help ease the transition from student to RN. Lewis said she appreciated having a mentor when she was a student at Davenport and is happy to be that guiding force for others.

“I attended the study abroad trip with one of my two mentees, and it allowed us to get to know each other on a deeper level and develop stronger relationships,” said Lewis.  “We were able to discuss our thoughts regarding the tours and presentations, as well as our hopes for implementing similar programs in Michigan.”

What interested you/motivated you to go on the trip? 

I returned to school as a nontraditional student at my grandmother’s urging. For months, I gave her every excuse as to why I couldn’t go to college as an adult with five kids and a husband. However, she was persistent, which led me to earn my degree.

I was initially pretty nervous about going on the study abroad trip because I had never traveled outside the U.S. or flown on a plane. I was reluctant, but my grandmother once again urged me to step out of my comfort zone, and I’m so glad I did because the experience was amazing and I know it will have a lasting impact on my career.

Most memorable moments

I work with a large population of vulnerable patients and found the tours of a publicly funded hospital, an elderly care facility and a publicly funded primary care clinic to be especially inspiring.

Having the opportunity to visit the Florence Nightingale Museum was an absolute honor. It was such a privilege to be reminded of all her significant contributions to the nursing profession.

What did you personally or professionally gain from the trip?

Overall, the trip reminded me that the true heart of nursing is not about where one works, but about caring for others in their time of need, advocating for improvements in health care and providing compassionate care to our communities.  I returned to the U.S. with a renewed desire to help grow Davenport’s Nurse Mentor Program and explore ways we can advocate for those in our community.

 

Sophia Hoekstra 

Sophia Hoekstra graduated from Davenport in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and also studied Case Management. She currently works at Corewell Health’s Butterworth Hospital and is the skin champion on her unit. As the skin champion, she has received specialized training on skin health and the prevention of pressure injuries that can lead to wounds. She is also the one colleagues in her unit turn to with pressure injury questions. 

Hoekstra enjoys her role in Davenport’s Nurse Mentor Program and hopes her involvement will help grow the nursing profession as a whole. “By mentoring students, I am helping to instill more confidence in them and encouraging their curiosity to learn,” said Hoekstra. “Also, I see myself having a future in education, so continuing to stay connected with students helps me keep that dream alive.”

What interested you/motivated you to go on the trip? 

I was terrified to go on the study abroad trip, and if it weren’t for Jenny Lewis’ encouragement, I would have missed out on an experience that fundamentally changed who I am.

Most memorable moments

İstinye University’s HEAL Program has inspired me to find more ways to give back to my community, specifically by providing outreach in Kent County.

I will never forget our trip to the Florence Nightingale Museum. It was so surreal to be in the place where she worked and called home and to see her personal belongings. I get emotional just thinking about it.

Something else that stood out was our visit to the Jewish assisted living facility that is fully funded by community donations. We were all so impressed with the facility and the care they provide to their patients that we collectively gave them a large donation before we left. It was a beautiful thing to watch and be part of.

What did you personally or professionally gain from the trip?

One thing that left a lasting impression on me is how welcoming the Turkish people were. It made me reflect on myself and how I view people from cultures different from my own.

Visiting the different facilities helped me take a step back and look at the big picture as to why I became a nurse. Going to Turkey and trying to absorb as much as I could helped me to remember my ‘why.’ I love helping people, and the compassion you show a patient is what truly helps them feel taken care of. Those memories and lessons will stay with me for the rest of my life.