“I’m finally back from a semester of making Granada, Spain (and a few other countries along the way) a part of my unique Simmons experience. I left for Spain feeling very grateful to be able to take an entire semester away from Boston, especially as a nursing student with a demanding schedule. Now, back in Boston, I can confidently say I would not trade my study abroad experience for anything. I stepped out of my comfort zone by switching from Simmons scrubs into my new scrubs from my internship at the San Juan de Dios Nursing Home, located in the heart of Granada. There, I shadowed nurses from across southern Spain and gained insights into the national healthcare system and the cultural nuances of caregiving. I now understand the importance of communication, the structure of universal healthcare in Spain, and how valuable my educational opportunities in the US really are.”
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.
