Two nursing students who swapped Houston for Aberdeen to learn more about healthcare in Scotland are on their way home.
Blake Martin and Lorena Lozano, both 21, made the trip as part of the Sister City initiative, which aims to allow students to encounter different education systems and cultures.
During their fortnight in Aberdeen, the pair completed clinical placements, took part in community group visits and attended health care classes and seminars.
And away from the serious side of the trip, the students also managed to squeeze in some sighting – taking in Stonehaven, Edinburgh and a performance of Wicked at HM Theatre in Aberdeen.
They were paired up with Robert Gordon University second year nursing students Rebecca Gardiner and Joanne Peters, who will make the reverse trip to Houston in September.
Miss Martin said the trip had been invaluable, and that she had been able to make a lot of comparisons between how healthcare is taught in the UK and the US.
She said: “This is our first visit to Scotland and everyone here has been very welcoming and helpful.
“The staff and nurses want to teach and have gone the extra mile to give us the best experience possible.
“There are lots of comparisons to be made between the UK and US.
“Here in the UK, nursing students specify their path in health care a lot earlier than in the US.
“In Houston the nurses are given a more general view and specialise later.
“Both systems work well though with similar care for patients.”
Miss Gardiner enjoyed working with the American pair and is looking forward to her trip to the States.
The 20-year-old said: “It’s been good working alongside Blake and Lorena and we have all learned from one and other.
“It’s been interesting to hear how things compare in nursing between Aberdeen and Houston.
“The US is known for having world-leading hospitals and health care services and I can’t wait to see it for myself.”