Spain

Global Health Studies' education abroad programs in Spain allow students to explore healthcare through a global lens while experiencing the rich history and culture of Girona and Barcelona. Directly observe multiple health specialties taught by expert physicians, immerse yourself in Spanish culture, and examine important global health issues in one of the world's most sought-after study abroad destinations.

OST 696 – Global Health: Spain – Pre-Clinical Observation, Culture and Medicine in Barcelona (3 Credits)

Global Health: Spain- Pre-Clinical Observation, Culture and Medicine in Barcelona is a 3-credit hour course that provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in patient-based learning experiences under the guidance of a clinician preceptor in collaboration, as appropriate, with interns, residents and/or fellows. The course goals include enriching students’ understanding of Spanish culture, the concept of Global Health and current country needs on the global mobility of displaced people. In addition, students should develop an understanding of endemic diseases and the healthcare delivery system (public vs private) in Spain.

Eligibility Requirements:

Student must be in good academic standing (no failed courses on academic record) at the time of departure.
Student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 at the time of application.
This program is open to MSU undergraduate, graduate, first-year medical and MS in Global Health students.

Summer 2027: TBA

Course Duration: 9 days

"All of the healthcare staff and patients were extremely welcoming to our students from MSU in each specialty we shadowed. The specialties included pediatrics, neurology, trauma/orthopedic surgery, general surgery, and the emergency room. All of them were very intriguing and helped me especially get a better grasp of the contrasting healthcare systems while being exposed to the medical field. It was genuinely mind blowing how different the United States was compared to Spain clinically and culturally."

- Monika Torkos, MSU Human Biology Major

"Starting Monday, we got to go to Girona for our clinical rotations in the hospital through Friday. These rotations included pediatrics, ER, neurology, trauma/orthopedic surgery, and general surgery. Every specialty offered something different and exciting. Getting to see and learn about a different healthcare system was an experience I would not trade for the world. At the end of the week, we stayed in Girona on our last day of clinical rotations for a tapas lunch and a tour of the city. It was also exciting to learn about the history of Girona as well. The sights and architecture were incredible."

- Ava Richardson, MSU Neuroscience Major

"Being able to observe surgeries every day was incredible because, as an undergraduate, I got to see firsthand what my future in medicine could look like. Watching the precision, teamwork, and technical skill involved gave me a whole new appreciation for surgery."

- Manushree Ganta, MSU Lyman Briggs College Graduate, Human Biology

Spain

Available Programs

OST 696 – Global Health: Spain – Pre-Clinical Observation, Culture and Medicine in Barcelona (3 Credits)