Health Care in Spain: A Cross-cultural Exploration of Illness and Wellness and Global Health Care Leadership

Location
Tarragona, Spain
Program Description
In this course health students will explore the health care system of Tarragona, Catalunya, Spain, through a partnership with the Faculty of Nursing at Universitat Rovira I Virgili. Through an international lens, students will learn about the Spanish nursing profession and related health fields, as well as the unique history, language, and culture of this Catalonian region of Spain.
Students will explore the ways that Spanish health professionals address health needs in both acute and community care settings in the context of the national health system, and will compare and contrast this with their knowledge of the U.S. health system approach.
Graduate students will examine interprofessional leadership characteristics and how they address health needs across settings. Students will explore physical and social environments to understand individual, societal and population-based influences on health and well-being.
This immersion experience includes a home stay with a Spanish family and Spanish language study.
Location Description
The Mediterranean coastal city of Tarragona, capital city of the Catalonian province of Tarragona, is home to about 135,000 people. Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city, is an hour north, and Valencia is to the south. Tarragona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich ancient Roman history. It is also a thriving industrial port city and part of the sparkling Costa Dorada. Tarragona is the capital of an entire region full of culture, beauty, history, and learning opportunities.
Director
Christine Argenbright | argenbca@jmu.edu | Nursing
Erika Metzler Sawin | sawinem@jmu.edu | Nursing
Accommodations
Students will live with host families in Tarragona. Housing accommodations are centrally located and public transportation is easily accessible.
All meals will be provided as part of the program, covered through either host family or an allotted stipend.
Additional Items to Consider
Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) is a member of the International Network of Universities (INU), of which JMU is currently a part, and has state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and learning. It is a university that is open to being a global partner, and Spanish nursing faculty members have visited JMU seeking partnerships and learning opportunities. The Tarragona region has interesting and diverse clinical sites for students that, in conjunction with URV, will facilitate their learning.
COVID-19 Location Information:
Each country has different requirements upon entry with regard to COVID-19. Please check this website for the most up-to-date information on what is required for the country (or countries) that are part of this program. Please note that this changes often, so we encourage you to check back frequently.
Applicant Criteria
Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.5
Spanish 232 or equivalent is preferred.
All undergraduate levels considered for this program.
Application Process
This list serves as an application preview. To apply, students will need to complete the following:
- Study Abroad Online Application ($40 fee)
- Short Essay
- Resume
- Interview with Program Director
- Official transcript required for non-JMU students
Further details and instructions about these application requirements will be available upon log-in.
Application Deadline
Dates
All dates are tentative and subject to change
Courses
NSG 490: Special Studies in Nursing: Health Care in Spain- A Cross-Cultural Exploration of Illness and Wellness (4 credits)
NSG 684: Global Health Care Leadership (2 credits)
Courses listed here are to be used as a general guideline for program curriculum. *All courses are considered pending until approved by the Academic Department, Program, and/or College.