MD-PhD_Hopeful
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Hello SDN! This is my first post on this forum, so I apologize in advance if this question is better placed elsewhere or has already been answered. During undergrad, a combination of some post-graduate goals and the COVID slowdown prompted me to begin learning French and Dutch. A few years on and I have come to realize that language learning is a true passion of mine. Recognizing the linguistic diversity of the US, I am interested in also developing proficiency with medical Spanish as there are >10x the number of Spanish speakers as French and Dutch speakers combined. I recognize that many hospitals/clinics have translation services available, but I believe that there would be value in being able to connect with Spanish-speaking patients in their native language. Translation services would naturally be very valuable in ensuring clarity when discussing matters related to treatment, but I believe that Spanish proficiency would be an appreciable positive attribute for patient interactions.
Looking around online, I see that many schools have some sort of medical Spanish instruction through student groups or some sort of Spanish language courses for medical students. However, from the information I can find, it seems that these programs vary significantly in resources allocated, organization, etc. which leaves me uncertain as to how these opportunities would compare to specific courses of instruction (I am thinking of courses for an undergraduate Bachelor’s in Spanish). I have a strong commitment to developing an advanced (C1/C2 in the European framework) level of proficiency with Spanish during the M1-G4 years. I am hoping that this form can help in identifying programs that would have the resources available to support this goal.
Looking around on school websites’ I see that many of the MD/Ph.D. programs that I am interested in have adjacent/overlapping graduate and undergraduate campuses as well as medical Spanish electives and/or courses of study. What would be the feasibility of taking 1 or maybe 2 Spanish courses a semester during the graduate phase to develop this language proficiency? If taking these courses were to be a potential possibility what would be required logistically? If there are any current students or program leadership that could offer comments or advice if this is not likely to be an option, I would be very appreciative.
Any thoughts or feedback would be very helpful! Thank you!
Looking around online, I see that many schools have some sort of medical Spanish instruction through student groups or some sort of Spanish language courses for medical students. However, from the information I can find, it seems that these programs vary significantly in resources allocated, organization, etc. which leaves me uncertain as to how these opportunities would compare to specific courses of instruction (I am thinking of courses for an undergraduate Bachelor’s in Spanish). I have a strong commitment to developing an advanced (C1/C2 in the European framework) level of proficiency with Spanish during the M1-G4 years. I am hoping that this form can help in identifying programs that would have the resources available to support this goal.
Looking around on school websites’ I see that many of the MD/Ph.D. programs that I am interested in have adjacent/overlapping graduate and undergraduate campuses as well as medical Spanish electives and/or courses of study. What would be the feasibility of taking 1 or maybe 2 Spanish courses a semester during the graduate phase to develop this language proficiency? If taking these courses were to be a potential possibility what would be required logistically? If there are any current students or program leadership that could offer comments or advice if this is not likely to be an option, I would be very appreciative.
Any thoughts or feedback would be very helpful! Thank you!