Intensive Beginner Spanish & Global Health
Intensive Beginner Spanish & Global Health
- Mexico
- Oaxaca
- Ecuador
- Quito
About Program
During the first portion of the program, take 50 hours of intensive beginner Spanish classes focusing on basic grammar, conversation, and medical Spanish used in patient histories and physical exams. After your language classes, learn about the social determinants of health by engaging with staff and supporting the ongoing work and operations of local non-profit organizations. During the second half of the program, practice your language skills while shadowing practitioners at clinical rotations such as community clinics serving low-income populations. Understand the implications of social, economic, and cultural factors of the patient, provider, and healthcare system.
This course is offered in Mexico and Ecuador - more details below!
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Diversity & Inclusion 💙
BIPOC Support
LGBTQIA+ Support
Neurodivergent Support
Accessibility Support
Impact 🌎
Sustainability
Ethical Impact
Program Highlights
- 50 hours of intensive beginner Spanish instruction, including foundational grammar, conversational skills, and introductory medical Spanish relevant to patient histories and physical exams.
- Applied language learning through community engagement, with opportunities to learn about social determinants of health by interacting with and supporting local nonprofit organizations.
- Supervised clinical shadowing experiences, allowing participants to practice Spanish in real-world healthcare settings while observing patient-provider interactions.
- Integration of language acquisition with health systems learning, deepening understanding of how social, economic, and cultural factors influence healthcare access and delivery.
- Cultural immersion through homestays and daily life experiences, reinforcing language development and cross-cultural communication skills in both social and professional contexts.
Popular Programs
Experience the rich culture and history of Ecuador’s vibrant capital city, Quito, located in the Andes mountain range. This program is a perfect fit for those with little or no Spanish language skills and an interest in healthcare and global health. Gain practical experience and proficiency in this vital skill used every day in today’s healthcare setting. Practice Spanish skills in local NGO’s, hospitals and clinics and learn about health care delivery in low-resource settings.
The southern state of Oaxaca is the most ethnically and linguistically diverse state in Mexico. It is home to a vibrant craft and art scene, outstandingly colorful festivities amongst beautiful architecture, and unique cuisine. Despite its cultural riches, Oaxaca lags in its health and economic indicators, and faces a complex social environment. This program is ideal for those with little or no Spanish background who want to develop this vital skill.
