Bridging Belief and Wellness: Study Abroad Trip Expands Public Health Perspectives
The 10-day study abroad gave students hands-on experience in public health, cultural diversity, and service while building global awareness.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University’s Public Health Program reached a milestone this summer when 11 students and three faculty members traveled to Toronto, Ontario, for the inaugural Faith and Health Study Abroad trip.
The program launched its first international education initiative, giving students an immersive look at how religious and spiritual practices shape health, healing, and wellness.
Students from public health, psychology, and business participated, highlighting the program’s interdisciplinary impact. The Department of Health, Physical and Secondary Education partnered with the Department of Intelligence Studies, Geospatial Science, Political Science, and History to organize the trip. Interfaith America, a national nonprofit that promotes dialogue between faith and public life, supported the effort.
During the 10-day program, students visited various sacred and cultural sites in Toronto, such as a mosque, a Sikh gurdwara, a Hindu temple, and a Hare Krishna center. Participants also attended an Indigenous-led summer solstice sunrise service and engaged in discussions with a Rastafari representative and a First Nations elder. These activities illustrated the impact of spirituality and religious traditions on health practices in diverse cultural contexts.
A key part of the trip was a service project with The Sanctuary, a Toronto-based social service organization that supports people experiencing homelessness and substance use. Students reflected on how compassion and faith prepare communities to meet urgent needs.
"One of the most impactful experiences I had during the trip was gaining a new perspective on how spirituality and health are deeply connected in different communities," said Kihyira Jones, a 2025 graduate of the biology program. “I encountered practices and beliefs that were unfamiliar. Instead of rushing to judge, I took time to understand them. This challenged my previous assumptions and reinforced my core values. I developed greater empathy, especially for those whose health practices and beliefs are often overlooked due to the lack of representation."
The group ended the trip with a visit to Niagara Falls, where they reflected on their shared experiences and strengthened bonds as a cohort.
The program plans to build on its first study abroad trip by creating future opportunities that combine academic learning, cultural exploration, and community service. The lessons students brought back from Toronto will empower them to tackle local health challenges more effectively and become compassionate, globally minded leaders in their community.