Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JULY 7
It is my pleasure to say that all students have officially arrived in Las Canas, Dominican Republic! One group (Sol, Siena, Covadonga, Hailey, Olivia) arrived around 11pm tonight so they missed the group picture featured in today’s blog, but we’ll take another one tomorrow!
The group is already off to a strong start. Students were eager to begin connecting with one another and have started to mesh well. Sprits were high and the energy was even higher, even after a long day of travel. The weather is cooling down, but to the students it is definitely still hot. Cooler weather also signifies the rainy season quickly approaching us.
Most of the day was spent welcoming students as they arrived, helping them get settled, and introducing them to the home base. Many students completed their health checks and a few had the chance to enjoy their first look at the beautiful beach located right on the home base property.
Tonight’s dinner consisted of chicken, rice, beans, eggplant, watermelon and mango with fresh lemonade to drink.
Tomorrow will be a full day, beginning with orientation, followed by a training on the medical brigades, and a walk through the local community. We are excited to officially begin the program and continue building connections with each other and with the Dominican Republic.
-Chandler, International Director
BLOG POST FOR JULY 8
Today was a rainy day in Las Canas. We are officially entering the rainy season here in the Dominican Republic. The change brings much appreciated cooler weather, but also means increased humidity after it rains. We spent the morning playing a few icebreakers and going over orientation. After orientation we completed health checks and conducted swim tests. That’s when the rain really began to pour. We took a break from swim tests and had lunch.
After lunch, the group developed a community agreement, which everyone signed once it was completed. We set up a mock version of the medical brigades and participated in role play at each station to prepare for the real thing starting tomorrow morning. Each table also practiced using their Spanish language skills to communicate with and understand their mock patients.
The group braved the rain and went on a community walk to understand a bit more about Las Canas. After a very wet walk, the group had dinner and met with their mentor groups for the first time. Each group did an activity as a continuation of the “My Core Three” values activity they completed earlier in the day.
First service day begins tomorrow!
-Chandler, International Director
BLOG POST FOR JULY 9
Today we started the day with breakfast at home base, and then split into two groups to go to our first service adventure; the medical brigades. We helped make the process between the doctor and patient more cohesive, helping out with registration, basic vitals, and organizing medicine.
After lunch, we took a quick stroll around the nearby community. We came back to home base to relax in the pool and play in the waves at the beach. We then enjoyed a lecture about the medical system of the DR by a local doctor.
After dinner, we played card games and socialized with our mentor groups before bed. Thanks for reading!
-Reagan and Eve
BLOG POST FOR JULY 10
Today, July 10, we did our second medical brigade, treating around 60 patients throughout the day. We gained a deeper understanding and knowledge of the healthcare system compared to other countries’ systems.
After wrapping up the medical brigade, we headed back to home base and enjoyed post-service free time. We swam in the ocean, played card games, and grew deeper connections with each other. After dinner we separated into mentor groups where we grew our leadership skills through games and challenge activities.
Overall, we had a highly successful medical brigade and enjoyed relaxing time.
-Hailey and Zoe
BLOG POST FOR JULY 11
Today we took a break from the brigades and we went on an adventure to Dudú lagoon and Playa Grande. At Dudú, students took turns jumping in the cool, fresh water with the fishies, taking lots of photos, and exploring the caves. At Playa Grande, the students enjoyed floating in the waves at the beach. We finished the day with ice cream and a sunset beach walk to a river/lagoon close to home base. Stay tuned for tomorrow!
-Georgia & Teagan
BLOG POST FOR JULY 12
The group started off the day with queso empanadas prepared by our fabulous kitchen staff.
Shortly after, the group ventured out to our third medical brigade where half the group worked in an outdoor setting and half in a rural mountain community.
Following our successful trip, many enjoyed free time by hanging out by the pool and later a soccer game on the beach joined by local kids! We enjoyed a tasty dinner with a special treat of some ice cold coca-cola.
This evening, instead of mentor groups we had a “pulse check” to check in with everyone’s experience on the trip so far. We finished our day with a sunset watch on the beach, fun card games, and lastly, an early lights out for our exciting day tomorrow!
Stella + Pamela <3
BLOG POST FOR JULY 13
Today July 13, we visited Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM). We toured medical labs and the psychology facilities.
Then we stopped at Crunchy Pizza for lunch and then visited the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration. On the way back we stopped for frozen yogurt! We ended the day with a lecture about forced displacement in the DR. Can’t wait for tomorrow!
-Sol and Aryn
BLOG POST FOR JULY 14
Today was our hardest day yet. We woke up at 6 am and went into a community that was like nothing we have ever seen in our lives. We drove to La Grua, an impoverished community outside of Puerta Plata. Part of this community is composed of Haitian migrants and their descendants. As a result, there are many members that have neither Haitian nor Dominican documents.
As soon as we arrived, we felt the situation, and poverty that these people face everyday. It was an experience that was truly unique and we all made sure that we would never forget the good we did for that community, but also the pain and suffering that we witnessed.
We learned that without documentation they do not have access to public resources. Many don’t have access to healthcare or a good job without fear of being deported.
After doing our usual medical brigade work, many of us became friends with the kids. From taking pictures of them, to letting them braid our hair, to riding on our shoulders, we connected with them on a deep level. Hopefully, we made them feel seen. We all hope that this new perspective will help us change for the better and never forget what we experienced today.
Norah/Chase
BLOG POST FOR JULY 15
Today, July 15, we had the opportunity to visit both a local public hospital and a private hospital to compare how each serves patients and operates.
Afterward, we attended another lecture with a doctor, this time focusing on infections, how they spread, and the importance of prevention and treatment. Later, our mentor groups went head-to-head in debates about local issues affecting the Dominican Republic. We wrapped up the day by relaxing and spending time together at the beach. It was the perfect way to end such an insightful day, and I’m excited to see what tomorrow has in store!
London & Hattie
