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Student Nursing Exchange 2019

Since 1995 an annual exchange of students nurses from the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen and Houston Baptist University has been arranged by the Grampian-Houston Association and the Houston/Grampian Association.


The students selected spend two weeks in their Sister City studying healthcare provision and nursing education and prepare a report comparing provision in Scotland and Texas.


This year sees the 25th anniversary of the exchange scheme and two mature students at Robert Gordon University School of Nursing & Midwifery - Leigh Watson and Brett Hillson - have been selected to represent Grampian in the 2019 exchange.


Below is a link to an interview given by Katie Baxter, RGU exchange co-ordinator, to That’s TV Scotland North on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the programme.

https://youtu.be/vkeg3zg8fcU




Houston Baptist University students Joshua Samp and Sofia Hernandez Mendoza arrived in Aberdeen on 12 May and began their study visit at the Robert Gordon University School of Nursing and Midwifery and at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital.


They were the guests of Aberdeenshire Provost Bill Howatson and Deputy Provost Ron McKail for lunch at Woodhill House, Aberdeen. Along with Provost Howatson the four students are pictured with a set of Texas flags presented to Prince Charles when he visited Texas in 1986. Prince Charles gave the flags to the Grampian-Houston Association on extended loan for display in Houston's Sister City.


Josh and Sofia also attended a civic reception hosted by Aberdeen Lord Provost Barney Crockett to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the nursing exchange programme and the 40th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Grampian Region and the City of Houston.


Nurses who have participated in the student exchange in previous years were invited to attend the reception and a group of them are pictured here.


The four 2019 exchange students were guests at the Grampian-Houston Association’s  40th  Anniversary dinner at the Marcliffe Hotel & Spa in Aberdeen and they are pictured here with Aberdeen Lord Provost Barney Crockett, who is President of the Grampian-Houston Association.


GHA Chairman Jim Shiach presented Sofia and Josh with inscribed quaiches (Scottish loving cups) as a memento of their visit to Aberdeen.  He also presented Leigh and Brett with cheques to cover expenses during their study visit to Houston in September







Brett and Leigh spent two weeks in Houston in September and were welcomed at a reception arranged by Houston-Grampian Association members. They are also pictured here on a visit to the Texas Children's Hospital, with school nurses at the British International School of Houston and at the NASA control centre.