Today was our second full day in Bilbao, and it focused on healthcare in a different setting. After breakfast, we took a bus to Gorliz Hospital. The location immediately stood out because the hospital is right next to the beach. Without even stepping foot inside, I could feel a sense of calm, and I realized how much the setting could play a role in overall patient well-being.

The visit began with an overview of the hospital’s history. We learned how healthcare operates in Spain and how nurses and healthcare workers approach patient care. In Spain, healthcare is free to everyone, so patients don’t face the same financial barriers as they do in the United States. One thing I found especially interesting is that wait times are not nearly as long as they can be in the U.S., where people sometimes wait days to be treated.

We then split into smaller groups for a tour of the hospital. It was really interesting to see how thoughtfully every room was designed. Each wall was painted a different color, so the space didn’t feel dull or gloomy. Even the scheduling office was extremely organized and easy to read. We also got to see the Oreka-Balance machine in use, which was cool to experience in real life and helped me better understand how it works to assess and improve balance.

After the tour, we headed to a nearby town for a quick lunch before taking the metro back to the hotel. After a short break, we went out for our welcome dinner, which gave us time to socialize and relax. I don’t think I would spend over half an hour laughing about our cheesecake being taken away with any other group. Today really broadened my perspective on healthcare in Spain, and I’m excited to continue learning more about how their system operates and why it’s so different.

(Our cheesecake before or after it got taken away)