Over the recent spring break, a group of Missouri State University students and faculty traveled to the Netherlands to explore a person-centered approach to aging and dementia care.
From hands-on lectures to cultural tours, the program blended art, science and human connection – all inspired by the groundbreaking The Hogeweyk® Dementia Village near Amsterdam.
An eye-opening experience
The week-long interdisciplinary study abroad program took place from March 15-21.
Jennifer Pratt, clinical professor of communication sciences and disorders (CSD), and Dr. Traci Garrison, clinical associate professor of occupational therapy (OT), led this program.
Twelve undergraduate and graduate students from CSD, gerontology, health sciences, nursing and pre-OT participated in the program. They prepared through weekly pre-departure sessions, guided readings and guest lectures.
The program itinerary blended academic lectures with cultural exploration. Pratt and Garrison expressed sincere gratitude to Missouri State’s office of education abroad and McQueary College of Health and Human Service for supporting and funding this program.
“We designed this program to show students what’s possible,” said Pratt. “We wanted them to look at dementia not just through a medical lens, but through the lens of quality of life.”
Students got the chance to visit the internationally recognized The Hogeweyk®. Unlike traditional institutional models, The Hogeweyk® empowers individuals with severe dementia to live as normally as possible in a secure community setting. Residents live in shared homes based on lifestyle interests, with access to grocery stores, cafés and open green spaces. Their focus is on living well, right until the end.
The Dutch model emphasizes that dignity, autonomy and well-being are just as essential as medical treatment – a philosophy that deeply resonated with students.
“Learning through travel is just something the classroom cannot replicate,” said Pratt.
A new perspective on care
According to Garrison, this study abroad program emphasized more than treatment.
“It encouraged students to consider how care environments can empower people to live fully, no matter their diagnosis.”
Students also learned from leading experts at the Leyden Academy on Vitality and Aging and Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience about the science behind dementia. At the institute, the group toured a brain bank and explored the latest dementia research, making classroom theories come alive.
“We studied something we see every day, but in a completely new way. It challenged us to rethink traditional care approaches,” said Natalie Hampsten, a senior CSD major. “It opened my eyes to what care really looks like when you center it around people.”
Abby Rudd, a senior gerontology major, was struck by The Hogeweyk’s® philosophy.
“They taught us to focus on possibilities, not disabilities. That mindset changes everything,” she said.
Besides the learning opportunities, the program offered cultural immersion. Students explored Amsterdam’s history through walking tours and visits to the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. These experiences contributed historical and emotional depth to their academic exploration, encouraging empathy and reflection.
“This was my first time studying abroad and visiting the Netherlands and it was amazing!” said Hannah Todd, a speech-language pathology graduate student. “What I enjoyed most was how the program blended Dutch culture with dementia care in such a meaningful way.”
A focus on compassion and empathy
For Karly Soden, a Doctor of Nursing Practice student, traveling to a new country, learning with new people and seeing dementia care through a global lens was an unforgettable experience.
“It shifted my perspective of human connection and its importance in health care,” she said.
In class or on the streets of Amsterdam, students learned that true care means honoring lives, not just managing symptoms. Their experiences brought theory to life and reshaped their understanding of compassion in practice.
“Students didn’t just learn about dementia,” said Garrison. “They learned to think differently, lead with empathy and carry those values into their future careers.”
