Atika Karam is a relatively young company that works closely with other companies and organizations in the health sector of primarily Spain and Morocco that want to internationalize their services and products. By serving as strategists and multilingual communicators, the team at Atika Karam crafts and executes specialized plans for these organizations. Their most recent project focuses on increasing Moroccan citizens’ access to healthcare by way of a multifaceted strategy that connects hospitals in regions such as Rabat, Tanger, and Oujda in Morocco with the Technology Park of Health Sciences in Granada, as geographically and culturally, these areas are very much linked.

At my internship with Atika Karam, I am working on creating a marketing plan on how I would best sell Argan oil, a Moroccan product, in the United States. Argan oil can only be found in southwest Morocco due to the extremely dry and hot climate the trees are accustomed to. According to various studies, Argan oil can be used to treat not only dermatological disorders such as eczema and acne but also help prevent cardiovascular disease, which is the number one cause of death for women in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In my project, I am aiming to fuse the concepts of conscious consumption and social responsibility into a marketing plan that would both inform the public and persuade them to invest in their own wellbeing and that of the Moroccan people.

by Ellen Garnett (Simmons College)

La entrada ‏Conscious Marketing Across Cultures: Interning at Atika Karam se publicó primero en Griis.

Raúl benefited very much from this experience since it helped him to understand what biomedical research is like outside of the U.S.

After graduating from Stonehill in May 2011 Raúl took a position as a technical assistant in the Jacks Lab, at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. With the experience of his study abroad at the GRIIS program and the one year position at MIT, Raúl applied and was accepted at the Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD/PhD program. He is currently in his fifth year researching melanoma using the zebrafish animal model.

by Prof. José Luis Martínez (Associate Professor of Spanish, Former Dept. Chair, Stonehill College)

La entrada ‏From Granada to Groundbreaking Research: A Parent’s Perspective on Study Abroad se publicó primero en Griis.

(Brianna Curran, University of Delaware)

What struck me most during the round table with the congressmen was how much common ground they found. Brian Baird and Dan Miller voiced overlapping views, especially when discussing the challenges presented by Donald Trump’s candidacy. Congressman Baird noted how this election marked a shift from policy debates toward reactionary discourse (a point that still resonates). The event served as a refreshing reminder that bipartisan dialogue is not only possible but necessary, even in such polarized times.

(Melissa Wanyoike, Boston College)

At the beginning of the semester, I didn’t expect my independent study at GRIIS to evolve the way it did. What started as a solo reading of Santa Teresa de Jesús turned into something much greater: a student-led book club that grew into a space for Spanish-language discussion, cultural debate, and genuine connection. We explored poetry by Fernando Valverde and attended the International Festival of Poetry in Granada, where I met Professor Gordon McNeer and discussed his reflections on José Hierro. That final conversation, conducted entirely in Spanish, was one of the most exhilarating moments of my academic life. I learned that Granada itself is a “puente” (bridge) between past and future, between cultures, and between who we are and who we can become.

(Taylor Anderson, University of Delaware)

La entrada ‏Learning Diplomacy Abroad: Politics, Culture, and Personal Growth in Granada se publicó primero en Griis.

by Sophie Lawsure (nursing student, Simmons University)

“Outside from the residency, I learned about different assessments available to a healthcare provider, the differences between Spanish and American healthcare, and also between their nursing homes and care philosophies. During the meetings, I expanded my knowledge of both vocabulary and global healthcare systems. Spain ranks among the top for healthcare worldwide, with significantly lower costs and fewer health problems across the population.”

by Olivia Rankin (University of Delaware)

“This internship was one of the main reasons I chose this study abroad program. I wanted to gain real-life experience speaking with Spanish-speaking patients. I had clear goals: to improve my Spanish, build confidence, and understand the differences between US and Spanish healthcare. I’m proud to say I achieved them all.”

by Zachary Bopp (University of Delaware)

“I didn’t have expectations going in, but I quickly realized how valuable this opportunity was. The residents seemed genuinely happy, the nurses caring and attentive. I especially appreciated the emphasis on movement and physical therapy with older patients, something I had studied but hadn’t seen so clearly applied until now. I gained vocabulary, skills, and confidence I’ll carry into my future work.”

by Jenna Horbatuk (University of Delaware)

“This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone. I struggled to communicate at first, but eventually I developed confidence and improved my communication skills. Visiting the Biomedical Research Center was another highlight. I feel fortunate to have learned how public health functions in Spain compared to the United States.”

by Maria Leone (University of Delaware)

“I’m grateful to GRIIS for the opportunity to intern at the San Juan de Dios Nursing Home. I learned more than just vocabulary—it was a challenge that taught me about Spanish life and culture. The language was the first big obstacle, since no one spoke English. My classmate Sophie and I had to push ourselves to ask questions and talk with staff every day. I also learned how to insert and remove feeding tubes and care for ulcers, things I had never imagined doing in Spanish before. Now I can, naturally and confidently. This experience was tough but deeply rewarding. I learned to ask, to listen, and to never be afraid of trying something new.”

by Amy Spurgeon (North Georgia University)

The original text of Amy Spurgeon’s article was written in Spanish as part of this student’s experience with us. You can read it below:

Estoy agradecida por la oportunidad que me ofreció GRIIS para hacer unas prácticas en La Residencia de San Juan de Dios porque aprendí mucho más que vocabulario. Me ofreció una experiencia única y llena de retos que me enseñaron sobre la cultura y vida en España. El RETO primero fue el idioma porque nadie en la residencia hablaba inglés, ni los usuarios ni los trabajadores. Fue súper intimidante al principio. Mi compañera, Sophie, y yo teníamos que salir de nuestras zonas de confort cada día para preguntar y hablar con ellos. También, yo aprendí más sobre el ámbito medico y vocabulario específico que solamente podría haber aprendido allí. Por ejemplo, la enfermera nos enseñó como insertar y quitar una sonda, y como cuidar úlceras. Antes de ir a la residencia, casi no podía decir estas frases en español, y después, yo podía expresarme con estos términos y hacer estas tareas con pacientes con total naturalidad. En resumen, mi experiencia en la residencia fue un gran reto, pero ahora tengo más confianza hablando español y preparándome para ser una buena enfermera. Ahora yo sé que debo escuchar a todos, preguntar mucho, y nunca tener miedo para probar algo nuevo.

La entrada Learning from Inside: What Our Students Say About Internships in Spanish Healthcare se publicó primero en Griis.

At CFIRI, we share with GRIIS a pedagogical approach grounded in motivation, perseverance, teamwork, and the exchange of ideas. These are not just educational strategies, but essential values for preparing students to fulfill their potential and navigate an increasingly complex professional landscape.

By embracing these principles, we aim to help learners enhance their abilities, strengthen their skills, and prepare for both personal development and successful integration into the labor market.

by Dimitris Nouridis Martín (Academic Director at Centro de Formación Internacional Reina Isabel)

La entrada ‏Training for the Real World se publicó primero en Griis.

During my time in Granada, I have grown in ways I didn’t know were possible and changed profoundly as a result. In the beginning, I was unsure if I had made the right decision to complete a clinical abroad. But after my very first shift, I knew this would be unforgettable. Over these three intense months, I’ve gained technical skills (from wound care to IV infusions), but more importantly, I’ve gained clarity on the kind of nurse I want to become.

The relationships I formed (with patients, families, fellow students, and staff) deepened my understanding of what it means to offer care. I have stayed with patients through their final moments and shared joy with others in recovery. These connections, and the compassion that shaped them, are what will stay with me the most.

Although I don’t want to leave Granada or the hospital, I now feel like a true nurse, full of compassion, understanding, and love.

Sarah Kinney (Simmons College)
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It’s incredible how much someone can change in just four months. During the Fall 2015 semester, I completed my nursing internship at Hospital San Juan de Dios. I chose the program to improve my Spanish (especially medical Spanish) and to understand new techniques, cultural practices, and a different healthcare system. I hoped this experience would help me become a more culturally competent nurse. I can now say I’ve achieved those goals and more.

I remember how nervous I was on the first day. I had decent Spanish skills, but no experience with medical terminology or colloquial expressions. I expected to observe for a few days before jumping in, but I became integrated into the team almost immediately.

One surprise was how physical closeness and affection are culturally different. Being greeted with kisses in a hospital setting felt unusual at first, but I quickly came to appreciate how integral family is to Spanish healthcare. Relatives are part of the care team and contribute in deeply emotional and practical ways.

The Spanish model taught me that high-quality patient care doesn’t always mean having the latest technology (it means having well-trained, collaborative professionals who care). This experience opened my mind and changed my assumptions about what good care looks like. I now appreciate different cultural perspectives and no longer assume the American way is always best.

I would recommend study abroad to any nursing student. You gain so much, from language and cultural skills to renewed purpose in your career choice.

Christina Rullo (Simmons College)
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Granada provided a life-changing experience for our nursing students. Their clinical work opened their eyes to global health realities and alternative healthcare systems. It deepened their cultural knowledge and gave them firsthand experience navigating the challenges of language and communication in clinical settings.

Even students who spoke Spanish well quickly discovered the complexities of being a non-native speaker in a healthcare context, a powerful lesson in empathy that they will carry into their future practice. The experience in Granada has forever enriched how these students view themselves and their patient relationships.

Karen Teeley (Professor of Practice, Simmons School of Nursing and Health Sciences)

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The original text of Christina Rullo’s article was written in Spanish as part of this student’s experience with us. You can read it below:

Es difícil como una persona puede cambiar de una manera tan grande, en solo cuatro meses. Durante el semestre de otoño 2015, hice mi práctica de enfermería en el Hospital San Juan de Dios de Granada, España. Elegí este programa porque quería mejorar mi español, especialmente el español médico. Quería aprender nuevas técnicas de enfermería, conocer la relación con los pacientes y el sistema de salud diferente. Quería usar esta experiencia para convertirme en una enfermera más consciente culturalmente en el futuro. Ahora, puedo decir que he completado esas metas y más.

Recuerdo el primer día, lo nerviosa que estaba. Hablaba un español decente antes de empezar el semestre gracias a haber estudiado en Granada antes y a que miembros de mi familia hablan español, pero no tenía experiencia en terminología médica o coloquialismos. Al principio estaría haciendo más observación durante los primeros días para aclimatarme en la planta, pero me integré casi inmediatamente en la rutina.

Un hecho que sabía de España, pero me sorprendió en el ambiente hospitalario, fue el sentido del espacio personal. Pacientes y miembros de la familia me saludaban con besos (aproximadamente igual a un abrazo en los EEUU) que es un saludo muy incómodo en un hospital para una americana. También la distancia entre cualquier persona que habla era mucho más cerca de lo que cabría esperar.

La familia en sí en España tiene una parte muy especial en el equipo de atención médica. Tiene la capacidad de darle afecto al paciente más que cualquier enfermera o médico. Los ven a diario y son su inspiración para mejorar. En España son realmente parte del equipo, se comunican lo que es factible y el médico trabaja con ellos para ofrecer el mejor y más razonable cuidado para el paciente. La alta calidad de atención al paciente no significa la mejor tecnología o sistema, sino contar con profesionales inteligentes, capacitados y que trabajan juntos para mejorar la salud de una persona. Esta ha sido una experiencia única que ha cambiado mi vida de una manera importante e increíble. Como persona, tengo una nueva apreciación de las diferentes culturas y mi mente se ha abierto para no poner siempre la versión americana como la mejor.

Sé que oportunidades como esta no se presentan a menudo, pero yo realmente recomiendo los estudios en el extranjero a cada enfermera o estudiante de enfermería. Se aprende sobre la cultura e idioma del país, sobre el papel de la enfermera y se reafirma su elección en la carrera.

La entrada Caring Across Borders: Three Voices from the GRIIS Nursing Experience se publicó primero en Griis.