CONNECT WITH YOUR PATIENTS
Breaking Language Barriers In Healthcare
We teach Medical Spanish to healthcare students and professionals so you can communicate effectively without language barriers.
Join our satisfied students that have broken the language barrier.
Why Join Our Medical Spanish Immersion Program?

Elevate Your Professional Skillset
Bilingual professionals are more attractive to schools and employers, have a higher earning potential, and contribute to inclusive patient well-being and improved outcomes.

Learn From Trusted Faculty
Universidad Xochicalco is an international-accredited university just across the border – one of the leading institutions in healthcare education in Mexico’s Northwest!

Make Lasting Memories
As you discover beautiful Ensenada, immerse yourself through conversations with locals and meaningful cultural activities with Mexican peers.
Healthcare Without Language Barriers
Our Medical Spanish Immersion Program is held in Ensenada, Baja California for two weeks in the summer in collaboration with our partner university, Universidad Xochicalco School of Medicine.
This program is designed for healthcare providers and students who seek to more effectively communicate with and provide care towards Spanish-speaking patients.
Participants will develop intercultural competencies, network with a Mexican medical school community, learn about the path towards health equity in the face of disparities within a global public health context hands-on, deepen their Spanish fluency, and practice interacting with and interviewing Latinx patients in their own language, all while enjoying an incredible international experience.

Conduct clinical interviews in Spanish

Develop intercultural competencies

Make cross-cultural
friendships and connections

Network with a Mexican
medical & nursing school community
Cornerstones of Our Program

Medical Spanish

Spanish Language

Epidemiology
Public Health in Communities

Clinical Shadowing
Across the Mexican healthcare system

Connections
With peer mentors and local families

Immersion
Through culture
Testimonials
“I was able to volunteer at the Refugee Health Alliance in Tijuana and I went in super confident compared to pre-CENEU, where I would have been sweating bullets. I was able to triage (take chief complaints, symptoms, medical and social histories of over 80 patients) thanks to and all of the help from everyone at Xochicalco! Being able to be the bridge between our patients and effective healthcare has made me realize this is what I love to do.”
“It was unforgettable. It was extremely difficult to part ways and say goodbye, especially because some genuine friendships were made. I couldn’t
be more appreciative of the students and professors alike. They were all so professional and welcoming.”
“I’m not interested in being a tourist for a few days, I prefer deep experiences with locals. This is why I love this immersion program… it was the highlight of my year. It took me outside of my comfort zone and taught me a lot about caring for my patients. Thank you for accommodating our needs. Money well spent!
Participant FAQs
Why should I join the Medical Spanish Immersion Program?
Whether you are a student or healthcare professional, a seasoned provider or just starting to explore the field, through our immersive program you’ll get to live the experience of a Mexican student on a medical school campus, all while improving your Spanish and enjoying a fun, adventurous trip to Mexico all just a couple of hours away from the U.S.-Mexico border!
You will come out of the experience with new friends and professional connections, a broadened perspective, a better understanding of your current or future patients and an unforgettable international experience. Not to mention, bilingual providers have a higher earning potential, are more attractive to schools and employers, and best of all, contribute to dismantling healthcare inequities and working towards a world where all patients are treated with dignity, care and respect.
Who can attend?
a. Are you a student or provider in the health field? We welcome current and future Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physical & Occupational Therapists, Health Educators, Clinical Research Coordinators, Paramedics, EMTs, Clinical Social Workers, Medical Assistants and more.
b. Do you have a commitment towards our values and mission of diversity, equity, and inclusivity?
c. Do you like to travel, adventure, get outside your comfort zone, have fun and try new things?
d. Are you open-minded with a sense of cultural curiosity and humility?
e. Are you looking for a meaningful and accessible experience where you will be challenged to grow beyond what you know and connect with others from different backgrounds?
f. Do you have a valid passport or can you obtain one? (If you need to apply or renew your passport, we encourage you to do so as early as possibly to guarantee that you will receive it in time. DACA applicants are encouraged to contact us early on and apply as soon as possible through Advanced Parole.)
If you answered yes to the following questions, this program is for you!
How do travel and accommodations logistics work?
The group will meet mid-morning on the first day of the trip at the Otay Mesa border crossing (San Diego, U.S. side). There, program and university staff will accompany students in the “Xochi Van” and as a group we will drive down together to Universidad Xochicalco in Ensenada and start the adventure! During the trip, transportation to and from campus, host family homes, and excursions and sites around the city will continue to be through the university transportation, and in some cases, our vetted host families. On the last day of the trip, we will travel back to San Diego in the Xochi van. Those who choose to extend their stay and study abroad longer will also be accompanied to the border on their last day.
As for accommodations, our participants stay primarily with host families, typically families affiliated with Universidad Xochicalco. We share program guidelines and safety protocols with the families of interested students, faculty and staff, and those who wish to move forward fill out a survey designed to ensure that each family as well as their homes and neighborhoods meet our safety and lodging standards. This leads to a multi-step vetting process including home visits and interviews to ensure a good fit for both the family and participating student, and the final step includes a commitment to hospitably welcoming our participants throughout the length of their stay and attending a thorough training for host families prior to the program. We encourage this option for the full immersion experience, but can also offer on-campus dorm accommodations. These are limited and first-come, first-served, so if you prefer to stay on-campus (or with your partner, friend, family member or other participant), make sure to register early and let us know your preference upon registration so we can make the proper arrangements.
What is a typical day like?
Your typical schedule during the weekday will start off by fueling up for a busy day through breakfast with your host family before you’re dropped off on campus for the day. The academic schedule incorporates two hours of Medical Spanish class daily and two hours of Spanish Language class. The first half of each class is lecture-based (though with plenty of student participation and using the campus facilities, such as the simulation labs, high-fidelity patient simulators, and the Anatomage table, during the MedSpanish class). In the last half of class, you’ll be grouped with your peer mentors (Xochicalco students) to practice what you’ve learned – a method that helps with retention and fluency while providing you with real-time feedback and dedicated time to clarify any questions regarding both the content and terminology. The Spanish Language class focuses on overall fluency, syntax, vocabulary through oral and written comprehension and expression, while weaving in aspects of Mexican culture, society, geography, history, archeology, and gastronomy of Baja California as well as other Mexican regions, such as Mexico City, Yucatán and Oaxaca. Traditional Mexican lunches (including options for those with dietary restrictions and allergens) will be served on campus, and you’ll have a break afterwards to rest, recuperate and decompress with our mentors and each other.
Beyond the classroom, each day we’ll engage in either a clinical or cultural activity, alternating shadowing at local clinics, hospitals, and community health brigades with cultural workshops. Our cultural immersion activities include cooking workshops at the campus Gastronomy lab, a dance & arts class, tours of Ensenada’s historic cultural district and downtown, including open-air food and artisan markets, and a community beach bonfire. Most evenings, you will have dinner with your host family, with some optional group evening outings which might include sipping on drinks and enjoying ceviche or tacos out on the town with our vibrant binational cohort, or a museum, boutique or bookstore visit if that is more your speed. During the weekend, we’ll spend the day visiting the world-famous Valle de Guadalupe vineyards for their wine-growing tours and optional tasting. Sunday will be a rest day to spend with host families and explore the city and surroundings. Families will typically take you to their favorite local spots, but if there is anywhere you wish to see or anything in particular you’d like to check off your Ensenada bucket list, make sure to let us know!
How do I register?
First, fill out our interest form here, and make sure to be as detailed as possible regarding your profile, background, special interests if applicable, and goals pertaining to our program, as well as any special accommodations you may require (dietary restrictions, allergies, personal preferences and so on). We will contact you to set up a Zoom chat (or you can schedule one directly below), so we can get to know you and answer any questions you may have. In order to save your spot, you will need to complete your payment below (either in full or by starting a payment plan; if you need a longer plan, please contact us so we can share a personalized payment link), submit the required documentation and meet with us virtually for a conversational Spanish assessment. We will maintain close contact to ensure we have everything we need from our you and vice versa, answer any questions as they arise, and meet for a group virtual pre-departure orientation session to review program guidelines and logistics, such as health and safety questions, our recommended packing list, and our target language pledge. Please keep in mind that our priority deadline is through February 28, 2025; those who register by this date are guaranteed a spot, provided they meet our eligibility requirements, and will receive $200 off the cost.
Can I register alongside someone else?
Yes! We’ve hosted friends, family members, colleagues and couples before, and encourage participants to sign up alongside someone they wish to share this adventure with. We offer a $100 friends & family discount for both participants in this situation (this can be applied retroactively if one of you is ready to register before the other). If you sign up for different tracks, you will still be together for the language classes (provided you have a similar language level), cultural activities and excursions. If you wish to stay in the same host family or share accommodations, registering early and letting us know this preference will increase the likelihood of staying together.
What is your refund policy?
We understand that personal and family situations come up that may change travel plans unexpectedly. If you will no longer be able to participate in the program for the dates you had registered for, provided that you let us know at least 60 days in advance of the trip, we can honor your deposit and payments towards a future immersion program, direct study abroad at any of Universidad Xochicalco’s 3 campuses, or any of our other trips, virtual courses or private lessons. These payments can also be applied as a credit toward a registration transfer for an elegible friend, family member, classmate, or colleague. If cancellation is due to an emergency that occurs within 60 days of the program, you will need to provide detailed and accurate documentation for the payments to be applicable as a credit in the future. For more information or to request a registration transfer, contact the staff member that you’ve been in touch with or reach out at ceneusandiego@gmail.com.
How can we help you reach your goals?
Reach out with your contact information, Spanish level, passport status, particular interests if applicable, and any questions you may have.
If you’d like to connect directly with our program coordinators, you can schedule a Zoom call below.
2025 Medical Spanish Immersion (Full Payment)
2025 Medical Spanish Immersion Program (Payment Plan)
Virtual MedSpanish Crash Course
(Full Payment)
Virtual MedSpanish Crash Course
(Payment Plan)