Spanish Immersion Program for Medical Professionals

*Program Dates for 2015 Program Dates

•Program begins Saturday, August 1st and goes until Saturday, August 15th
With a minimum of 6 students, ACCE can also develop new program dates for those unable to make our regular dates. Please contact us for more information.

* Get a 10% discount on extra lessons before or after the program when you extend your stay.

Four students is the number of students in each Spanish class.

This program lasts for two weeks and is based around Spanish immersion for medical professionals. This program boasts 40 hours of Spanish class lessons and 20 hours of professional work in local clinics and hospitals as well as other activities.

There are three main aspects of these classes:
1. Hands-on practice with the needs of Latino patients.
2. Spanish vocabulary that focuses on the medical profession.
3. Conversational emphasis.

Week 1:

Students will go on excursions in the mornings while the afternoons are spent in classes. Students will also be able to experience a cooking class and Latin dance class. There are visits that are scheduled for this week.

Week 2:

Mornings will be spent in clinics and hospitals while Spanish classes take place in the afternoon. We also arrange fieldwork in a nearby school.

The Work in the Field

Students will visit a nearby school to do examinations of the children including vision screening, scoliosis, vital sign measurements, height, and weight. There is the potential for physical examinations determined on equipment availability. Students of this program must be able to use Spanish to explain the results of the exam to the group.

The Practicum in the Hospital or Clinics:

Students will work in pairs or individuals to assist medical staff and doctors in their daily rounds in clinics and hospitals. Students will use their Spanish while working with patients. The medical professional in charge will decide the involvement of students with patients.

Medical professionals including faculty, students, doctors, and nurses will be able to expand on their Spanish language abilities while building cultural awareness and learning about the practice of medicine in Costa Rica.

Aims:

1. Giving the opportunity to practice Spanish by participating in field trips and excursions.
2. Providing the opportunity to experience the healthcare system in Costa Rica by scheduling visits to local hospital or clinics.
3. Providing information on healthcare systems in Central America.
4. Living with host families and enhancing cultural understanding and language acquisition.
5. Building cultural awareness by offering lectures about the Latin culture.
6. Improving specific vocabulary and communication methods to work with Latino patients.
7. Improving language skills (levels may range from low beginning through high advanced).

Spanish