Medical-Based Spanish Study Abroad Opportunities for Science Majors
Faculty Sponsor
Lindy Scott, Whitworth University
Research Project Abstract
Cultural competence has been an increasing focus for medical schools, as the U.S. foreign-born population is projected to increase by 85 percent over the next 50 years. Premedical students are encouraged to study abroad to gain cultural experience, however often they don't believe they can afford an entire semester abroad due to academic schedules, as the majority are science majors. Whitworth University offers a Costa Rica Jan Term trip combining medicine and Spanish that includes an internship, class, and homestay. This study aimed to analyze the current program through surveying past trip attendees and offering a proposal to allow students to get the most out of their shortened trip. Results primarily revealed that the class taken during the trip, though beneficial, took away from time spent exploring the country. Therefore, it's proposed to implement a mandatory class the semester before the trip to allow more time for cultural experience during.
Session Number
RS9
Location
Robinson 141
Abstract Number
RS9-d
Medical-Based Spanish Study Abroad Opportunities for Science Majors
Robinson 141
Cultural competence has been an increasing focus for medical schools, as the U.S. foreign-born population is projected to increase by 85 percent over the next 50 years. Premedical students are encouraged to study abroad to gain cultural experience, however often they don't believe they can afford an entire semester abroad due to academic schedules, as the majority are science majors. Whitworth University offers a Costa Rica Jan Term trip combining medicine and Spanish that includes an internship, class, and homestay. This study aimed to analyze the current program through surveying past trip attendees and offering a proposal to allow students to get the most out of their shortened trip. Results primarily revealed that the class taken during the trip, though beneficial, took away from time spent exploring the country. Therefore, it's proposed to implement a mandatory class the semester before the trip to allow more time for cultural experience during.
