On our final day, we returned to what felt like the heart of our trip, the Bilbao School of Engineering. We started the day with a fascinating presentation from Mikel about the process of designing a medical device. It was especially interesting to see how closely engineering overlaps with what we do in nursing, especially in the healthcare technology space. Which I feel was the entire purpose of the trip. I now feel that I have a great understanding and appreciation for the bridge between healthcare and technology.

Afterward, we heard from the CEO of VENTIJET, a local startup focused on ventilation solutions in healthcare, a reminder of how innovation is constantly evolving in this field. This was also so interesting! Seeing how new technology grows and becomes more widely used was something I don’t think I would have been able to learn about anywhere else.

We then took the bus back to Gernika and later met up for one last dinner together, enjoying pizzas and Argentinian empanadas. We also got to celebrate Dr. Borovits’s birthday, which felt like the perfect way to wrap up such a meaningful trip.

I’m so thankful for everything I was able to experience and learn throughout this journey!