After a long day of travel, we began our morning with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before taking the metro to the Basurto Hospital. There, we had the opportunity to learn about Spain’s healthcare system. It was fascinating to observe the differences in healthcare, particularly how care is universally accessible and primary care is prioritized. The system appeared to be more organized, efficient, and ethically grounded compared to what we’re used to in the United States. I spoke with a nurse at the hospital who explained the placement process for nurses in Spain, which relies on a much different testing system than in the US.

Next, we visited BioBizkaia, where we were introduced to several innovative research projects currently underway. One highlight was seeing their work on virtual reality patient simulations, which could eventually serve as a high-tech alternative to the simulation labs used in our nursing education. We also learned about ongoing efforts to reduce unnecessary medication prescriptions, a promising development with potential implications for addressing the opioid crisis in the US.

Later in the day, we visited the Bilbao School of Engineering, where we had lunch and took time to review our trip itinerary.