WVU School of Nursing highlights culture and health care in Spain during Global Health Week
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — During WVU Global Health Week 2025, the WVU School of Nursing welcomed faculty and students from the University of Barcelona to discuss health care in Spain. Senior nursing student and Morgantown Ambassador Bella Bock, who studied abroad in Spain last summer, also gave a presentation about the Mediterranean diet.
Pol Doillon and Unai Castro, undergraduate students from the University of Barcelona, spoke about “Nursing in Complex Community Health Systems” during their presentation on health care in Spain. They discussed the challenges facing global health systems. Dr. Maria Fernanda Zerón Rugeiro, lecturing professor and member of the Commission of Nursing, presented, “Synchronizing Nutrition with Circadian Biology: Improving Global Health through Advances in Chrononutrition.”
Participants from the University of Barcelona described the event as “an enriching experience, full of learning and international connections.”
Bock, a senior in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, said she wanted to participate in Global Health Week to share what she observed abroad, especially the differences between Spain’s healthcare system and the U.S.
“I was especially fascinated by the way people in Spain approached food and nutrition,” Bock said. “Their emphasis on fresh locally sourced ingredients and balance in meals inspired me to educate others about the Mediterranean diet.”
During her presentation, she discussed the key components of the Mediterranean diet, highlighting the foods it emphasizes and the many health benefits it offers. She shared her personal experience with the cuisine in Spain, providing real-life examples of what she ate and observed. She also reflected on her study abroad experience overall.
“Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how others live,” Bock said. “It allows you to take those experiences and apply them to yourself as a future nurse. I truly loved every aspect of the study abroad experience, and I believe it will profoundly shape my perspective on providing care as a future nurse.”
For more information about global opportunities, visit the WVU School of Nursing’s Community and Global Engagement page or contact Dana Friend, Coordinator of Global Programs, at dfriend@hsc.wvu.edu.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu