PURPOSE: to verify the perception of students about the conditions of life and health of Quilombo Communities. METHOD: it is a qualitative research with students of health field who participated in an activity of research and extension in Rural Communities Quilombola in northern Minas Gerais. We used data from Field Journal for Research, focus group interview, and the results analyzed through the prism of Content Analysis. RESULTS: the perceptions of students were categorized into three dimensions: recognition of cultural differences, perplexity with the poor living conditions and personal growth through experience. The content analysis showed the importance of this activity for students of health. CONCLUSIONS: the study showed the amazement of the students on the aspects of inequality that people living north of the Maroons of Minas Gerais.
Health Vulnerability; Public Health; Ethnicity and Health; Brazil