Fostering and Achieving Culture Equity and Sensitivity in the Health Professions (F.A.C.E.S.) Conversantes is a service-learning course that provides bilingual Spanish-speaking premed students with training and opportunities to volunteer as medical interpreters in health care facilities located in Southern Arizona. The course is a collaborative effort among the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Arizona Hispanic Center of Excellence, College of Medicine Office of Outreach and Multicultural Affairs, and local clinics and hospitals. Students in the class are enrolled at either The University of Arizona or Pima Community College.

In the classroom: students learn about common medical complaints (chest pain, breast mass, abdominal pain) and practice medical interpretation techniques through a combination of lectures, role-plays, case-studies, and presentations. Classes are held on Tuesday from 3-5 pm.

In the community: students volunteer 2-3 hours per week as Spanish interpreters in local health care facilities such as: Clínica Amistad, St. Mary’s Hospital, University Physicians Hospital (Kino), St. Andrew’s Children Clinic (Nogales), Hansen’s Disease Clinic (Phoenix).

Who Should Apply?

• Bilingual Spanish-speaking undergraduate students
• Attending the University of Arizona or Pima Community College
• Interested in pursuing a health profession
• Available to volunteer as Spanish interpreters (2-3 hours per week)

How Can I Apply?

• You can apply to Conversantes using the link below at any time
• All application materials must be submitted online no later than 5:00 pm on October 15 for Spring semester and March 15 for Fall semester applicants. If this date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or UA holiday, the deadline is the next business day.

Apply Here!

Course Registration

If accepted into Conversantes, the course will be added to your schedule by the Office of Outreach and Multicultural Affairs through a manual registration process. DO NOT USE UA WEB REGISTRATION.