ENLACE Summer Language & Cultural Immersion
The ENLACE Summer Language & Cultural Immersion program offers a unique opportunity for rising 2nd year medical students to deepen their understanding of global health, improve their Spanish language skills, and cultivate cultural humility. Unlike traditional volunteer programs, ENLACE prioritizes ethical engagement and sustainable collaboration with local communities.
By immersing themselves in Salvadoran culture through language classes, homestays, and community interactions, participants gain invaluable insights into healthcare delivery in a developing country. Through shadowing local physicians and healthcare providers, they witness firsthand the challenges and triumphs of providing care in resource-limited settings.
ENLACE emphasizes the importance of critical reflection and ethical considerations in global health work. Participants explore the complexities of power dynamics, cultural humility, and the potential pitfalls of short-term volunteerism.
By the end of the program, participants have not only improved their Spanish language skills but also developed a deeper understanding of global health issues, and the ethical considerations that underpin effective healthcare delivery in a global context.
Program takes place each June.
Contact: Jennifer Custer
When asked to reflect on her experience in El Salvador with the Summer Language & Cultural Immersion program, Bailey Johnson shared, “Because of my time spent living and working in El Salvador, I learned that this experience will not only allow me to become a better physician but also a more informed, well‐rounded individual in general. I came into this trip confident that I would learn in ways that were not possible in the US, however my learning experience in El Salvador far exceeded my expectations. I learned about my profession, a culture and language different than my own, the history of El Salvador, and I also discovered more about myself.”