Today, we had the opportunity to tour Universidad Austral, a university that stands out not only for its academic programs but also for its affiliation with a hospital similar to how UPMC is connected to the University of Pittsburgh. We were up around 7 a.m. for breakfast, and by 8 a.m., we were on the bus headed to the campus. The ride took a little over an hour, but once we arrived, we were warmly welcomed and taken into one of the dining rooms where they offered us a light breakfast.

We then headed to one of the classrooms for a presentation on the Argentine healthcare system. One of the key challenges they highlighted was the disparity between nurses and doctors. Nurses in Argentina often don’t receive the same recognition or pay as they do in the U.S., which contributes to a shortage and lack of advanced training. In contrast, doctors tend to be better compensated and respected, leading to an unusual near 1:1 ratio of doctors to nurses which is something very different from what we see back home. Next, we walked over to the hospital for a one hour tour of their facilities. The hospital was modern and reminded me of many healthcare centers in the U.S. We toured the emergency department, ICU, maternity ward, and several other areas. One of my favorite parts was seeing the outdoor area where trees had been donated by patients and their families.

After the hospital tour, we returned to one of the academic buildings for lunch, where we were joined by students from Universidad Austral. This was actually my favorite part of the entire visit. It was fascinating to chat with them about their college experience, their majors, life in Argentina, and even their impressions of the U.S. The empanadas they served were incredible and definitely the best I’ve had so far! The conversations were so engaging that the hour and a half we spent at lunch flew by, and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye and head back to our hotel.