VCU news

By Amelia Heymann

This summer, Charlie Hassett studied at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus for four weeks. In the program, students worked in a cadaver lab to better understand human anatomy.

Hassett, a rising junior majoring in health, physical education and exercise science in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities and Sciences, said he has wanted to study abroad for a while. Many people told him they regretted not studying abroad, so he decided to “dip his toes” in a summer plan this year.

He was drawn to the University of Nicosia because of its lab program. Each class session in the program started with a lecture on an anatomy system and was followed by work with cadavers. On his first day in the lab, Hassett said he was a little shocked and had to take time to adjust to the experience. Soon, he joined the other students working with the bodies.

“[The lab] also has very high quality models as well – but once you actually do the work on a real human cadaver, it's a very unique and very different experience because it really shows you what everything will look like and prepares you for the medical field,” Hassett said.

Hassett said the program supports his post-graduation goal of applying to dental school. He said it also helps him with his prerequisites, as well as getting a 300-level biology class under his belt.

While classes ran Monday through Thursday, every Friday the group went to a larger city to spend the weekend. During these excursions, Hassett explored beaches and a castle, went cliff diving and enjoyed Greek cuisine.

“I like to cook, so getting to try a bunch of new foods and learning recipes, talking to the locals, it's been really cool,” he said.

Hassett encourages other students to take the leap and study abroad. He acknowledged he was nervous about the trip in the weeks leading up to it, and even at the airport, since he’s never lived outside of Virginia.

“It's definitely a daunting thing to go to another country where they might not really speak English and you might get looked down on for being like an American tourist and all that – but I've been treated very well here,” he said. “It's been a great time and I would really highly recommend it for anybody who's kind of on the fence.”

Hassett is even planning on studying abroad again.

For more information about VCU’s study abroad opportunities visit global.vcu.edu/abroad.