Sixteen UW-Eau Claire students will be heading to Costa Rica this summer as part of a new study abroad program developed specifically for nursing students.

According to a University News Bureau release, the program will allow students to gain experience in a Latin American medical system, as well as practice and develop Spanish medical language skills. The six-week summer program, which is also open to non-nursing majors, will run from early June to late July.

According to the Costa Rica Nursing Program brochure from Eau Claire’s Center for International Education, students take two three-credit courses; Introduction to the Costa Rica Nursing Program and a Medical Spanish course. The Spanish course is offered at several levels and no previous Spanish language skills are required.

Susan A. Lochner, a study abroad coordinator with the CIE, said students will learn to work with a different group of patients.

“(Students) will be able to learn to speak Spanish in a medical setting,” she said, “which is becoming an increasingly important skill to have.”