Cornell offers an incredible range of unique classes, but there was one course that immediately caught my attention when I was browsing the catalog for my first pre-enrollment over the summer: SPAN 2070: Intermediate Spanish for the Medical and Health Professions. As a student on the pre-medical track with an interest in Spanish, I thought this course would be the perfect way to combine my passions and start off my interdisciplinary education at Cornell.

More Than Just Spanish

This class exceeded all of my expectations and taught me far more than just the language. One of the most unique elements of the course was the "intercambios" program, which paired us with students from the University of Caldas in Colombia for weekly Zoom calls. It was both exciting and valuable to see that the Spanish I had been studying for years could be used in real-life conversations. Even now, I keep in touch with my intercambio partner through social media.

Bridging My Interests

Since the course content is rooted in medical topics, it gave me an amazing opportunity to merge my two interests—medicine and Spanish. For example, we practiced doctor-patient role-plays, which helped me refine my communication skills in a medical context. This hands-on experience brought me one step closer to my goal of becoming a doctor who can bridge the healthcare gap for marginalized communities and make healthcare more accessible.

Building Friendships and Strengthening Skills

In addition to the language and medical knowledge I gained, I’ve made lasting friendships through the class. Many of my classmates share a passion for medicine, so it was easy to bond with them. We often meet up to eat and study together, and I frequently see them in my core classes as well. 

SPAN 2070 was the perfect class for me. It gave me more than just academic knowledge—it helped me connect with others, practice Spanish in meaningful ways, and continue working toward my dream of becoming a doctor. I highly recommend this course to any student at Cornell who wants to explore the intersection of language and healthcare.