Learn Spanish. Serve Communities. Transform Lives.
“Improving Children's Health and Well- Being Since 2004”
La Academia de la Salud provides a unique service-learning experience for high school students to strengthen their Spanish language skills while working on healthcare initiatives with local students, professionals, and community members in Central America.
Through hands-on service, students apply their Spanish skills in authentic, real-world settings while supporting community health initiatives. Participants assist with basic healthcare services, deliver health education workshops, and construct vital WASH sanitation infrastructure.
Beyond service, students immerse themselves in local traditions, music, and art—turning every daily interaction into a dynamic cross-cultural learning experience.
Organize Your Own Academia de la Salud
Create your perfect program in Central America
Each 7-10 day Academia de la Salud is made up of a minimum of 10 students accompanied by a minimum of 2 complimentary faculty leaders.
Each program is designed to meet your goals and objectives, including customization itineraries, optional enrichment activity add-ons and the ability to focus on either “health initiatives” (projects including health screenings, public health workshops and light infrastructural projects) or “impact projects” (more construction-focused WASH initiatives that keep students hard at work).
Our amazing international team will work with you to build and implement the Academia that fits your needs and inspires your students to put their Spanish into action in a meaningful way.
Join a Summer Academia!
Every summer, we invite faculty and students to join an 8-day Summer Academia Program alongside a cohort of other high school students and faculty from across the country. These programs are open to individual students and chapters of 3+ students with one free faculty.
Belize, Guatemala, Panama
2027
June 5 – 12
June 12 – 19
June 19 – 26
June 26 – July 3
Where We Work
Program Learning Outcomes
By the end of La Academia de la Salud, students will have strengthened their ability to:
- Communicate basic health information in Spanish.
- Conduct simple health-related conversations with patients and community members.
- Discuss hygiene, nutrition, oral health, and wellness topics.
- Participate in community health education activities.
- Navigate cross-cultural healthcare environments with confidence and cultural sensitivity.
Students don’t just study Spanish — they use it as a tool to promote health, build relationships, and create meaningful connections across cultures.
La Academia de la Salud also includes:
Cultural Learning
In each partner country, students and faculty will be immersed in the local culture and will be introduced to some of the region’s most beautiful traditions. For example, in Belize, students will learn from locals how to cook cassava pudding or practice “Cayetano” inspired artwork.
Enrichment Activities
All of our program countries offer optional add-on enrichment activities. In Panama, the options include an overnight trip to Soberania National Park excursion, a day trip to Monkey Island, or a Boat Tour of the Panama Canal.
Local Tourism
In addition to the optional enrichment activities, all groups will spend at least an afternoon or two enjoying local tourist sites as part of their trip.
This might include a guided visit to Maya ruins, a trip to a local beach, or a walk through the jungle.
Testimonials
“I will always lead high school programs with Global Brigades as it provides my students and I with an opportunity to do meaningful volunteer work that allows us to make genuine contact with the target community. It also allows for students to experience a country and its culture in an off the beaten path way. I love everything about their mission and the programs that they run and can’t wait for the next one!”
“This is our second program and I’m already planning trips three and four. Watching the growth and heart for service in my students is one of the most rewarding experiences. Every student went home with a more grateful attitude, sincere understanding of their daily blessings, and a true want to help others in need. I’ll be taking students on trips with Global Brigades for years to come.”
“Global Brigades is a program that all your students will remember for the rest of their lives. We keep going back to a new country, a new experience of the heart.”
“This was an invaluable experience for our students to not only learn about another culture but to realize the impact they can have on local communities.”