Bastyr education prepares students to use their healing skills out in the world. To that end, we offer many opportunities to study off-campus. For more information on joining trips (some are open to the public), contact Student Services at studentservices@bastyr.edu or (425) 602-3090.
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine China Externship
Annual trip to China (master's students in September, doctoral trip in May-June)
This intensive enables students to study in the hospitals of two of the top traditional medicine universities in China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Students spend their mornings shadowing senior doctors and seeing patients. In the afternoon, they attend lectures by senior doctors in their area of specialty. Students also explore the rich culture of China on weekend trips to Mount Emei, a famous Buddhist site; Mount Qingcheng, a famous Taoist mountain; the Chengdu panda park; and Hangzhou, a city renowned for its natural beauty.
Spa Medicine in Germany
September (annually)
Students on this two- to three-week trip study spa (or "sanitas per aqua") medicine, physical medicine, hydrotherapy and nature cure, and learn about the roots of naturopathic medicine in the country of its birth. There is a physical medicine prerequisite for this course.
Botanical Studies in Costa Rica
Winter (every other year)
Over 10 days, students explore botanical medicine in jungle canopies, rivers, mountains and ocean beaches. The group visits herbal farms, preservation gardens, jungle wilderness and sustainable communities. Students meet with long-time folk herbalists and world-renowned modern permaculturists, learning about herbal medicine, Latin American culture and holistic land stewardship.
Plant Identification & Medicinal Field Botany
Summer quarter every year (three weekends)
Students spend three weekends camping and hiking in Washington state's Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges learning botany, plant identification and medicinal uses of native plants.
Herbal Medicine Throughout Oregon
Late June (every year)
Students spend seven days camping, hiking and touring herb farms and herbal production companies. The focus is on developing a deeper understanding of herbal medicine through the Oregon herbal community.
Students car pool to the cities of Williams, Eugene and Sandy and set up base camps, then head out to day trips to woods, fields, farms and production facilities.
Cascade Herb Experience
One weekend in summer quarter (every year)
Students spend a weekend learning to identify native plants in the North Cascade mountains near Mount Vernon, Washington. They also learn from a local herbal wildcrafter how to harvest native medicinal plants sustainably and how to make medicine from them.