Medical School and Learning Spanish

[CJhooper123]

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I have strong interest in serving communities w/ diverse backgrounds. I also want to help patients in different countries.

Are there medical schools that teach Spanish? If not, what have students done in the past to learn a different language?

 

[Lawpy]

Yeah many schools have opportunities that allow students to learn Spanish. However, this is school specific and it’s better to contact these schools for more information.

 

[863168]

@CJhooper123 I learned how to speak Spanish in high school and have retained most of the knowledge from being forced to take it for four years. I supplemented that knowledge with a medical Spanish book (there are many) and practice with native speakers on a regular basis. I'm surprised that you have a genuine desire to expose yourself to different countries, I am always afraid about how I conduct business with people from other nationalities in which I may do something or say something that violates their cultural norms.

For instance, exposing yourself to a diversity of cultures often leaves you susceptible to the graciousness of other cultures. Your understanding of nuance and particulars will be at an infantile level which is why growth in language is drastic when people decide to do immersive language experiences because they get the bear the full brunt of failing to learn, but reap the rewards of knowing the language of the country they live in.

 

[CJhooper123]

Yeah many schools have opportunities that allow students to learn Spanish. However, this is school specific and it’s better to contact these schools for more information.

Thank you - my top choice is my in-state MD school (Umass). I will certainly contact the school to further discuss. Do you happen to know any specific schools that may have a reputation for teaching Spanish? (if there are any...)

 

[21Rush12]

Opportunities are around if you look. Lawper is right, get in touch with individual schools you’re accepted to and ask about it. Some are structured, some have student run organizations, some may not have any.

You’ll also have a lot of exposure and practice in residency, from what I hear.


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[valid username]

I went in knowing a little bit of spanish.

In M3 and M4 i asked many bilingual patients if we could use Spanish. They were fantastic teachers. Obviously, I didn't do this during stressful appointments. Here in Miami that's easy. Of course this will be tough in some areas.

I also use duolingo daily, even if it's only one lesson. I haven't missed a day in over a year.

To improve your medical vocabulary, read forms and brochures during your rotations. Most packagaing has some spanish too.

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Your best bet would probably be at a school that has an undergrad.

 

[armybound]

Most of the schools I interviewed at (in Texas) had "medical Spanish" courses. I don't think they would have been too useful if you had no foundation in the language, though.

 

[Adrielm]

UAG (Universidad Autonoma De Guadalajara) is a school in Guadalajara, Mexico that focuses on producing bilingual doctors that are licensed in the US. They visited my school the other day. They emphasized that students learn Spanish medical terminology and start doing clinical rotations in M1 with native Spanish speakers. However, I might add that the requirements are insanely low to get in which is kind of a red flag. 3.0 GPA and 485 MCAT. It is an MD school btw.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I know that Nova's DO program teaches medical Spanish, so I'm assuming their MD program will likely do the same.