We arrived in Cadiz, Spain on Sunday July 21st. There are 4 nursing students and one public health student and myself who will be taking a 3 week course, Medical Spanish for Health Care Professionals. There was plenty of  time in the Madrid airport to get to know each other as well as the other students who were traveling for another UMass Lowell language program in Cadiz.

Cadiz is a beautiful and historic city in southern Spain. We left Massachusetts with very HOT weather and arrived in Spain to very HOT weather. Most of us are used to the hot New England summers but we are told by the people in Cadiz that the weather on our arrival was much warmer than usual. After our arrival most of us settled into our host homes and explored the city a bit. Classes start on Monday morning. Our program will consist of a morning and afternoon academic session where we learn basic Spanish and also some medical terminology. We will also have focused presentations from local nurses and other health care workers to share their information about health/nursing care in Cadiz. We will be visiting the school of nursing, a hospital, a geriatric center and a pharmacy as part of our health care excursions. We will also join some of the other students from UMASS Lowell in cultural excursions so we can appreciate this city and the food, music and history. Please check back to learn more about our trip. We will post pictures as well.

Submitted by Valerie King – Clinical Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing- University of  Massachusetts Lowell