The EdOdyssey Educator: May 2021 Newsletter
For travelers and study abroad enthusiasts, gain unique insights into World News and EdOdyssey News in the blog version of our monthly newsletter, in case you missed it!
Teacher Appreciation Week
Sharing our love for teachers with our community.
Earlier this month, we expressed our gratitude for educators. They’ve gone around the world with us, and their work in and out of the classroom inspires their students to take on challenges while abroad.
To our faculty chaperones and to all teachers, we continue to give thanks for the pivotal role that you’ve played in our lives. Best of luck as you finish up the school year!
Participation in Global Panel Discussion
Sharing an international perspective to Boston community & beyond.
The Boston Area Study Abroad Association (BASAA) invited our own Luis Garcia to provide his Peruvian perspective in their worldwide virtual panel discussion on “Navigating Study Abroad in a COVID-19 World”. Over 100 attendees from around the globe gained unique insights into some of Peru’s public policy and the communication between medical providers and the local community in Lima.
This week, Luis started sharing his knowledge and passion for culture with our Latinx Patient summer cohort of aspiring and current healthcare workers.
Learn more about why cultural competencies matter in our Latinx Patient program.
Program Highlight: Florence Semester Abroad
Highlighting what makes the home of the Renaissance a special place.
World renown art, famous sculptures, and ancient streets have inspired generations of locals and global citizens. Around this time of year, the end of the spring season fills the region of Tuscany with warm weather and breathes even more life into the city.
We’re excited to share the beauty and history of this world famous city with students during our semester program this upcoming school year.
This Month’s Program Reminders & Deadlines:
Latinx Patient Program Application: Fall Registration - Enrolling
Florence Study Abroad Application: Fall Deadline - May 30, 2021
EdOdyssey Semester Airfare Promo: Fall ‘21 & Spring ‘22 - Available
Featured Blog of the Month:
“Why Your International Friendships Will Last A Lifetime”
This month, we reflect on what makes study abroad connections so special. If you’ve studied abroad, or you’re thinking about it, you’ll gain insights into the timeless value of interpersonal connections that come from an experience abroad.
Marymount University Supports Students with Medical Spanish Scholarships
The Center for Global Education at Marymount University supported their students who aspire to work in healthcare-related fields with Latinx Patient scholarships.
Our organization recognizes Marymount University for its contribution of six scholarships for our Latinx Patient: Spanish & Culture virtual program. This fall, their Center for Global Education has supported their students who aspire to work in healthcare-related fields.
These scholarship recipients from Marymount University will learn how to support the underserved Latinx community that has shown a need for healthcare workers who have the language skills and cultural knowledge to support Latinx patients. The Center for Global Education has provided these select students an opportunity to gain new perspective as they prepare to enter their respective careers connected to healthcare.
Read on to learn more about their institution’s motivation and passion for supporting their students!
Jennifer Crystle, Marymount University’s Center for Global Education, Associate Director
Marymount is proud to be recognized as an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Earlier this year, Marymount launched the “Avanzamos” initiative to formalize our efforts to continue to support our growing Hispanic student population and an inclusive campus community. In order to support this initiative, the Center for Global Education is turning its attention to the internationalization of the Marymount curriculum. We are specifically considering ways to ensure that our language offerings meet the needs of our students and prepare them for work and life in an increasingly global world.
Victor Belancourt, Marymount University’s Center for Global Education, Executive Director
We are excited to partner with EdOdyssey to offer Marymount students the opportunity to earn a certificate in Medical Spanish. In order to show our support for these types of language initiatives, the Center for Global Education has offered six full scholarships for students to complete the certificate program this fall.
As part of the program, students will learn approaches to the uses of Spanish language in real, relevant healthcare scenarios and gain a deeper understanding of medical practices and public health factors involving Hispanic patients. With our strong programs in Nursing and Health professions, the Medical Spanish certificate will allow students to further distinguish themselves in competitive healthcare fields.
Amidst a global pandemic, Marymount University’s has directly addressed the need for better patient support for the at-risk Latinx community. According to Amanda Machado, below are two important reasons why the need for this support is so dire:
More than one-fourth of Latino adults in the United States lack a usual healthcare provider and almost half of Latinos never visit a medical professional during the course of the year.
Latinos are more likely than members of other groups to delay healthcare for an illness or drop out of treatment when symptoms disappear.
These Latinx patients need more support, and with that in mind, current and aspiring medical professionals in the field will need to be prepared for the future of healthcare. Massachusetts General Hospital Primary Care Physician, Carolina Abuelo, reported in August 2020 that the need and demand for healthcare workers with Medical Spanish language competencies is more important now than ever:
“The U.S. Census Bureau projects that Hispanic people will comprise nearly 25% of the U.S. population by 2045. Yet nationwide, the proportion of physicians who identify themselves as Spanish-speaking is less than 6%.”
“Language and cultural barriers are compounding trauma for populations who are already disproportionately enduring the pandemic. At Massachusetts General Hospital, we went from seeing approximately 10% Spanish-language patients to more than 50% during a surge in April.”
We want to thank the Global Center for Education at Marymount University again for their contribution and their passion for supporting the Latinx Patient: Spanish & Culture for Healthcare program.
Is your school or institution also seeking ways to provide students more access to meaningful virtual, global programming? Please contact us here if you wish to learn more about our Latinx program or if you wish to collaborate with us for future semesters!
Sources:
Abuelo, Carolina. “The U.S. Needs More Spanish-Speaking Doctors” https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2020-08-25/why-we-need-more-spanish-speaking-doctors 25, August, 2020.
Machado, Amanda. “Why Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor” https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/05/why-many-latinos-dread-going-to-the-doctor/361547/ 7, May, 2020.