Studying abroad brings many unique experiences for students and professors alike: learning new skills, gaining an understanding of another culture and experiencing international travel.
But beyond the typical study abroad experiences, a group of 22 Slippery Rock University students and professors were able to delve directly into the Australian health care system, meeting with two members of Australia’s parliament, during a study abroad trip, May 12-20.
“I just felt more like a guest or somebody that was a learner versus a tourist,” said Betsy Kemeny, associate professor of recreational therapy and program director. “We were co-learners with them, and they wanted to know what we do, too.”
Dai Le and Rebekah Sharkie, members of Australia’s parliament, discussed with the SRU group the implications of Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme, as well as the positives and negatives of Australia’s universal health care system. Heather Bright, SRU assistant professor of recreational therapy, is a cousin of Sharkie and niece of Tina Sharkie, a social worker and NDIS Supports Coordinator in Australia.
“Australia is ahead of the game with health care in a lot of respects and in terms of meeting people’s individualized and person-centered needs,” Kemeny said. “Especially the idea of allowing people to make decisions and take risks based on their own preferences. The system really recognizes the dignity of the human being.”
In addition to meeting the parliamentarians, the SRU group conducted three professional site visits which included hands-on learning with cutting edge technology in the field of recreational therapy, as well as insight into the person-centered recreational therapy approach in Australia. The visits were coordinated by Kemeny and arranged through Charlise Bennett, executive director of the Australian Recreational Therapy Association, who is one of Kemeny’s professional connections. Kemeny previously served on the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s international board.
Among the three site visits, the group notably visited the Royal Rehabilitation Hospital in Ryde, New South Wales, where students studied technology designed to assist adults living with brain and spinal cord injuries. The students were introduced to technologies including ZeroG robotic body weight supports systems, drone fishing, adapted gaming apparatuses, adaptive gardening, kayaking and beach and trail wheelchairs.
“I appreciated the chance on this trip to be more hands-on with the recreational therapists and the clients themselves,” Kemeny said. “We bring in technology and use it so students can get a vision for it and know how to use it when they go out into practice.”
Students also had a chance to apply their skills in hands-on learning sessions at Southern Cross Care, an aged care facility in Turramurra, New South Wales. Students implemented recreational therapy sessions with older adults at the facility, learning about individualized, person-centered care for residents. The SRU group also met with 10 recreational therapists at the Campbelltown Mental Health Hospital.
In addition to professional site visits, the group traveled to famous destinations such as the Sydney Opera House and UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Blue Mountains, among several additional stops.
Carly Hampton, a senior from Schwenksville (Spring-Ford HS) was one of 19 recreational therapy majors on the trip. Hampton, a certified recreational therapist, is planning to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Delaware Valley University.
“You learn by traveling, whether you are going somewhere with a similar culture or a totally different culture,” Hampton said. “Even if it’s something as simple as a level of independence, you learn something. I would encourage anyone with the opportunity to at least apply for study abroad programs or look into it, even if it’s outside of their comfort zone.”
The faculty-led trip to Australia was one of several SRU short-term travel abroad programs for the Spring 2025 semester. Other destinations included Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Spain and the United Kingdom, spanning multiple departments and programs.
More information about study abroad programs at SRU is available on the University website. More information about recreational therapy programs is available on the department’s webpage.
