Considering the fact that the Hispanic population is the fastest growing population in Oregon–and in response to the growing need for bicultural and bilingual nurses–the School of Nursing initiated the Mexico Immersion Program four years ago. More than 20 undergraduate and graduate students participate in the program each year, a four-week experience in which students are truly "immersed."

Students live with Mexican families, practice in a clinical setting for six to eight hours per day, study medical Spanish with private tutors daily, and participate in daily seminars to learn about local issues and culture. Clinical sites include hospital wards, public health stations, Red Cross clinics, farm labor camps and rural mobile health units. OHSU students return to the United States better prepared not only to provide care for diverse populations–but also to advocate for our diverse communities within the health care system.

"It's easy to stereotype in our society, consciously or unconsciously–and the immersion program forces us to face that Mexican culture, just like our own, is very diverse. The experience teaches our students the skills and confidence to interact in all kinds of situations so that culture becomes a tool rather than a barrier to healing." – John Jessup, R.N., M.P.H., Mexico Immersion Program clinical instructor

“When I help patients here,” she says, “now I will be better able to meet them where they are. It’s more than speaking Spanish or having a conversation about their health needs and problems in their native tongue. It transcends that. I can communicate that I have a beginning understanding of where they came from, what their health system was like, and what their lives might involve. From now on, I’m open to expanding my horizons well beyond nursing diagnoses to considering health and illness completely out of the box. There’s no doubt about it, I’m just going to be a better nurse.”
– Colleen Casey, program participant, winter 2002

"Recently, I was involved in the care of a young Mexican woman who was in need of assistance from mental health professionals. Because of my experience with the immersion program, I understood how her reactions–for example, her unwillingness to confide in her family–were culturally based. The ability to provide culturally competent care to this woman was tremendously rewarding."
– Susan Hoffman, program participant, winter 2000

Last updated January 3, 2008 by OHSU School of Nursing Web Managers.
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