Premed / Prehealth Study Abroad:
Summer 2021: Learn Spanish and Shadow Doctors in South America
We are looking for adventurous, open-minded and culturally-curious students to join us for six weeks of Spanish classes, volunteering, and medical shadowing in Chile and Argentina
Now accepting applications for summer programs...
Spanish & Medicine features (clockwise from top left) small group Spanish classes, medical shadowing, cultural activities, volunteering.
"Did You Know the USA Has More Spanish Speakers than Spain?"
(Only Mexico has more.)
The language gap crisis in American healthcare is not going away.
Will today's students be part of the solution?
Spanish & Medicine Study Abroad is carefully designed to help future healthcare professionals succeed in America's demographic realities.
Through language training, medical shadowing, and group activities, we prepare you to treat your future Spanish-speaking patients safely in their own language and with cultural empathy.
Here's what you will get:
- Massive Spanish Gains Micro-group classes plus a "360 degrees of Spanish" environment get you fluent quickly (even without additional studying)
- College Credit Earn a transcript for up to three semester courses to apply toward your current degree or to save for graduate school
- Medical Shadowing Experience Clinical exposure in real South American clinics and hospitals to help you pick up field-specific language plus develop Latin cultural empathy
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Multi-Country Adventure The six-week program spans two countries for cultural variety and so you can build a "flexible ear" for adapting to different accents
Spanish classes, cultural activities, and medical shadowing
Language Gap Crisis in American Healthcare?
Authorities from around the country speak to the shortage of Spanish-speaking professionals to meet the needs of America’s demographic realities
Language barriers are associated with lower patient comprehension, satisfaction, and trust in physicians, and often, worse clinical outcomes...Patients want a physician who speaks their language well enough to supply excellent care.
National Institute of Health
About one-third of the hospital's patients speak Spanish as a first language.
Dr. Mark Pecker, NewYork Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Cornell Medical Center
Lower quality of health care and worse health outcomes are more likely when language barriers exist between patients and provide.
US National Library of Medicine
With all the demands on doctors — we only have about 15 minutes with a patient — to not have to take the extra step of a phone translation is huge.
Dr. Gloria Sanchez, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
We could look upon physicians' learning of Spanish as a type of medical intervention. As with any sound medical tool, it is designed to positively affect as many patients as possible with minimal investment of resources.
AMA Journal of Ethics, from "Should All U.S. Physicians Speak Spanish?"
The schedules of physicians fluent in Spanish are always full as opposed to the doctors who only speak English.
Many patients find it awkward to communicate through a translator... They are embarrassed and scared. They don't want to be a bother.
Dr. Asma Jafri, Riverside County Regional Medical Center, Moreno Valley, CA
Many medical centers recognize the need for bilingual doctors. The fallout from language barriers between doctors and patients sometimes leads to patients getting the wrong diagnosis, treatments or medications.
Dr. Joseph Tucker, Harvard Medical School
There is a chronic shortage of American healthcare professionals that Speak Spanish.
IMDiversity
The reality is, if you can't communicate with a patient, you can't provide care. It shouldn't be an add-on. It should be a required part of providing high-quality health care.
Mara Youdelman, National Health Law Program
Doctors must face today’s demographic realities. A Spanish-speaking doctor fills a critical nationwide gap.
American Medical Association Journal of Ethics
We know from extensive literature that language barriers affect access to care, health status, use of health services, patient/physician communication, satisfaction with care, quality and safety—it really spans the spectrum in terms of the impact.
Glenn Flores, Medical Research Institute in Minneapolis
Communication barriers can have serious consequences for health, including misdiagnosis, inappropriate medication, and mistrust.
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Working in Washington Heights and going to Columbia, you need to speak Spanish.
Dr. Christopher Kellner, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Miscommunication is a huge safety risk. As the number of Spanish-speaking patients increase, hospitals and health systems need to address language barriers to ensure that medical errors and Never Events do not result.
AMN Healthcare Education Services
Spanish Speakers by Country*
*millions (Source: Spanish Language Domains)
Fastest Latino Population Growth
(Source: Babbel Magazine)
Most Common Native Languages*
*millions (Source: Babbel Magazine)
Most Spanish Speakers by State
(Source: American Community Survey)
Students get briefed for their shadowing placements
Do You Qualify?
The program is for premed/prehealth students who:
- Will have completed at least one year of college studies before the start date
- Have a genuine desire to treat your future Spanish-speaking patients in their own language, safely and with empathy
- Are able to spend time far from home and away from your friends and family
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Can adapt to new groups of people and unfamiliar cultural situations
Program at a Glance...
Hybrid of traditional study abroad plus pre-departure online material and post-program lessons
Certificate & Transcript
Upon successful program completion students receive:
- Spanish & Medicine Certificate Details entire program. Electronically verifiable (ready for LinkedIn and graduate school applications)
- University Transcript Credit for three semester-equivalent Spanish courses. May be applied toward undergrad degree (check with your school), graduate studies, or as a stand-alone credential
Main Components
Medical Shadowing
The medical shadowing rotations are designed to give you exposure to real-world Spanish in healthcare situations AND to help develop your empathy for Latino cultures:
Shadowing healthcare professionals in South America
Spanish Immersion
Most students find the Spanish immersion experience very different (and more effective) than prior classes in high school or college:
- Extra Small Classes A maximum of 7 students gives you an optimal learning environment - large enough to keep things interesting, but small enough for individual attention
- Easy to Participate The comfortable setting (like going to a cafe with friends) facilitates conversation, even for students that don't usually raise their hands
- Extra Online Lessons Your program includes follow-up online lessons to work on any individual needs and to ensure your language skills stay sharp
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No Juggling of Classes Your only academic class will be Spanish, so your mind will not need to waste energy switching topics several times each day
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360 Degrees of Spanish The "Spanish everywhere" environment keeps you motivated since you get to try out your new language skills the very same day you learn them
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College Credit Get college transcript for up to three Spanish courses.
Unlike most high school and college classes, our small groups finally give you the practice you need to get fluent.
Program Locations
Chile (3 weeks)
Widely considered the most developed country in Latin America, Chile has easily accessible mountains and coast.
Argentina (3 weeks)
Buenos Aires is often called the "Paris of Latin America" and the country is full of passion for futbol, tango, and nightlife.
Los Estudiantes
"How was your Spanish & Medicine experience?"
Spanish & Medicine 2021
Chile - Argentina
Dates:(each session has a strict limit of 25 students.)
Summer 1 May 23 - July 3
Summer 2 June 20 - July 31
Summer 3 July 18 - Aug 28
Program Tuition (Spanish PLUS Shadowing):
3 Weeks
Argentina
1 Online Course
1 In-Country Course
$5,990
6 Weeks
(Argentina only) OR (Argentina + Chile)
1 Online Course
2 In-Country Courses
$7,990 $5,990 (Super Early Bird tuition)
Tuition includes Spanish courses, Latin American Culture, transcript, certificate, healthcare program (shadowing, volunteer, research), and some activities. Housing and travel are NOT included.
Related:
FAQ + Open House Online presentation + frequently asked questions
Student Spotlights Video reviews + longform post-experience interviews
Questions? Meet with a program advisor
Copyright 2020 Spanish & Medicine