Pre-med summer>>
Barcelona, Spain

Length: 2 weeks
Dates: June 29-July 11 or July 13-July 25
Program fee: $3,995 (covers housing, some meals, 24/7 staff, etc)

Get $1000 flight credit - apply for Barcelona >
Barcelona, Spain

Travel to Spain and spend 2-weeks developing clinical skills and exploring comparative global health.

Clinical skills sessions at Vall d'Hebron Simulation Center

Vall d'Hebron hospital is one of Barcelona and Spain's leading public hospitals, and you will do several afternoon sessions in clinical skills simulations at their Advanced Clinical Simulation Center.

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Lectures in global and comparative health from UIC Medical School.

We are partnering with UIC Barcelona - a leading medical program in Spain to provide faculty-led global and comparative health lecture series during your program. Explore the differences between US and Spanish healthcare.

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Explore Barcelona food, culture, and beach life

We want students who complete Firsthand to get the maximum value possible out of the program. Every day is packed from start to finish with fun, learning, speakers, tours and more.

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How it works

2-weeks in Barcelona, Spain

The Firsthand Barcelona program is 2-weeks long and you will be with a group of 10-15 other pre-med students from across the country.

Hands-on clinical skill simulations

Firsthand partners with local simulation centers in Barcelona to set up hands-on clinical simulations so you can get real experience with the life of a doctor.

Comparative global health lectures

Gain a firsthand understanding of global and comparative health this summer to prepare for medical school applications and broaden your horizons.

Housing provided

Firsthand partners with local dorms or hotels to provide housing as part of your program. You typically will have a roommate of the same gender from our program.

24/7 local staff support

Firsthand prides itself in a safety-first mindset. All our staff are trained in leading global safety procedures and we have 24/7 staff support during your program.

Excursions, meals, and culture

All Firsthand programs include excursions, activities and several dinners throughout each week to introduce you to the local culture where your program takes place!

Apply now - spots filling fast!
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Common Questions

What locations & dates are open?

As of today, all our programs in Kenya, Italy, and Spain are still open!

Admissions deadline & process?

There is no deadline! We have rolling Admissions. We have a simple 4-step Admissions process. You can learn more how it works by clicking here.

Who is eligible for Firsthand?

Outset is for students currently enrolled in a US university on the pre-med track.

How do I apply? How competitive?

Applying online is easy. Within 2 business days from starting your application you will hear from our team about next steps.

What is the cost and what is covered?

Program fees range from $3995 to $5995, but if you apply soon you can get a $1000 flight discount to help cover your flight costs. Our fees cover housing, 3 dinners a week, excursions, staffing, all programming, and travel insurance.

Is there financial aid?

Yes, if you need financial aid please indicate this on your application and fill out the aid request information. We are not able to guarantee aid but we do take every aid request seriously.

What is the daily schedule?

Each day is packed - if you are in a clinical shadowing program (Italy or Kenya) you will spend 6 hours a day in the hospital. If you are in a clinical skills and simulation program (Barcelona) your day will be a mix of lectures and hands-on skills trainings. Evenings and weekends our team organizes great meals at local restaurants and exciting excursions. You also have free time to explore!

Is there any academic credit?

At this time, there is no academic credit for Firsthand programs. You may be able to get credit through your school.

What is accommodation like?

We partner with student residence halls (dorms), hotels, or other local accommodations. Most students will have to share a room and bathroom, but we try to find reasonable comfortable housing that is convenient.

Are students monitored 24 hours a day?

In the Kenya program, our staff are nearby 24 hours a day. In Spain and Italy there is some free time where students are not monitored (weekends).

Do you have any 3rd party reviews?

Firsthand is a new program, so we do not have reviews yet!

My question isn't answered!

No problem! Shoot us an email and we'll be glad to help out: admissions@joinfirsthand.com

About us

Our program core values are safety, pre-med learning, and community, in that order. We are educators, physicians, and program staff with decades of experience running student programs.
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Travel + Pre-med

10+ years experience in global programs.

The Firsthand team has operated global programs for thousands of students over the past decade.

Learn & Travel

Pre-med, Abroad.

We believe in providing high-quality pre-med global experiences. Dive deeper this summer during your path to medical school.