In 2020, approximately 18.7 percent of the United States’ population was of Hispanic or Latino origin, according to the U.S. Census Bureau—and the numbers are growing.

The Census Bureau also found that around 13.5 percent of the population aged five years and older speaks Spanish at home. This means nearly 41 million people in the U.S. speak Spanish as their primary language. Over the course of their lives, they interact with the U.S. healthcare system, specifically with nurses and physicians, whose communication with patients is crucial to providing high-quality care and building trust.

By studying general and medical Spanish and learning more about Latino culture, aspiring medical students and practicing nurses and physicians can enhance their communication skills and become more culturally competent healthcare professionals.

Although the number of qualified training centers offering specific programs in this area is still limited, it is steadily growing. At Academia Buenos Aires and Academia Uruguay, we have built successful and trusted programs combining general Spanish, medical Spanish, and medical shadowing. These programs also offer university transcripts for credit.

Argentina and Uruguay are not only ideal study destinations—safe, culturally rich, and supported by good infrastructure—but also outstanding locations for studying medicine abroad. Both countries have excellent medical universities, highly qualified physicians, and specialized training facilities in private and public hospitals that our programs build upon.

A typical three-to-four-week program starts with consolidating students’ Spanish skills to provide a stronger grasp of the local variety of Spanish and a deeper understanding of local culture, history, and customs. During their first week, students work with a professor analyzing the healthcare system in Argentina, Uruguay, and Latin America while familiarizing themselves with the cultural and formal aspects of doctor-patient interactions. In the second week, students are introduced to specific medical vocabulary necessary for their upcoming clinical shadowing, including terms related to anatomy, illnesses, treatments, and administrative processes.

During weeks three and four, students spend their mornings at clinics that have renowned training programs. The clinics offer a wide range of specialties—such as cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and pediatrics—many of which are available for shadowing.

Students shadow physicians during their daily routines and observe interactions with patients, other doctors, and nurses, as well as observe operations and other procedures. Students are not allowed to interact with patients or doctors during consultations. However, they meet with doctors after consultations to discuss the observed situations and meet local students who are training to become physicians. Every Friday afternoon during weeks three and four, students have two hours of classes at Academia Buenos Aires or Academia Uruguay with a professor to reflect on the week at the hospital, share their experiences, and pose questions about the medical vocabulary they encountered. Students also compare notes, which become the basis for a final report.

Aspiring medical students from the United States benefit from this type of program in many ways.

In addition to studying medical Spanish and becoming confident in a foreign language, current medical students accumulate observation hours through a structured medical shadowing program in Latin America, acquiring invaluable insights and skills. Latin America is home to a diverse range of healthcare systems, from public hospitals to private clinics, offering students the opportunity to observe different models of care and learn from healthcare professionals with varied backgrounds and expertise. By shadowing healthcare providers in Latin America, students can gain a deeper understanding of global health issues, develop cross-cultural communication skills, and strengthen their clinical knowledge and skills. Furthermore, a medical shadowing experience in Latin America can help foster greater empathy and cultural humility. By immersing themselves in a different healthcare system and working with patients from diverse backgrounds, aspiring medical students can develop a deeper appreciation for the social determinants of health and the impact of cultural beliefs on healthcare outcomes.

The competitive aspect is important as well. Undergraduates competing for admission to medical schools usually look to set themselves apart through non-academic achievements, such as language skills and clinical experience. When entering the job market after medical school, students with bilingual skills and international clinical exposure will be well-positioned to meet the needs of hospitals and healthcare facilities in the United States that are increasingly seeking professionals who can effectively serve diverse patient populations.