GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE

Welcome to the DR! GLA staff will meet you at the airport (Puerto Plata – POP or Santiago de los Caballeros – STI) and take you to the Home Base located about an hour away. We’ll get settled in, have our first Dominican meal together, and then launch into some team-building activities.

Today is our first full day in the Dominican Republic! We’ll start with a walking tour of Las Canas, followed by a program orientation to set expectations as volunteers. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the community where we’ll be working, meet medical professionals you’ll shadow, and take a swim test. After dinner, our program directors will lead a discussion on a global health topic to provide context for our work.

Over the course of the next few days, you’ll gain invaluable experience working alongside local medical professionals, rotating through mobile clinic stations such as triage, vitals, general practice, and pharmacy. This shadow-learning engagement will allow you to observe the direct impact of healthcare services on local communities. Through meaningful interactions, you’ll see how vital community engagement is to public health. Evenings will be dedicated to reflection and learning, with thought-pr

After several days of intense service, you’ll have the chance to relax and recharge at Dudu Lagoon, a breathtaking cenote known for its crystal-clear blue waters and stunning underwater caves. Spend time swimming, lounging by the lagoon, or playing volleyball with fellow students and locals. Later, you’ll visit Playa Preciosa, a secluded beach with pristine white sands and turquoise waters, perfect for soaking in the sun and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

Today, we’ll journey to the vibrant heartland city of Santiago. Our first stop is a renowned medical university, where you’ll receive an exclusive tour of the campus and facilities, offering a deeper insight into the education and training of healthcare professionals in the Dominican Republic.

After the university visit, we’ll head to a cultural museum, where you’ll discover the rich history and heritage of the region. Then, we’ll head home where you’ll have the opportunity to hang with your new friends and reflect on your first week in the DR.

Today, we’ll assist at our final pop-up clinic, helping guide patients through the stations, shadowing the doctors, and making sure everything runs efficiently so as many community members as possible can be seen. In the afternoon, we’ll take shade under a tree to learn about the prevalence of water-borne diseases in the communities we’re serving and the importance of sanitation projects.

Over the next two days, you’ll have the opportunity to shadow local doctors and observe their work across both private clinics and public hospitals. Rotating through different specialties such as pediatrics, internal medicine, and more, you’ll gain valuable insight into the diverse healthcare practices within the community. While this experience will be in a shadow-learning capacity, it offers a unique chance to understand the challenges and successes of providing medical care in different settings, allowing you to see firsthand how healthcare professionals meet the needs of their patients in both public and private sectors.

Today, we’ll embark on an exhilarating zipline adventure, soaring through the treetops and enjoying breathtaking views of the tropical landscape. After ziplining, we’ll relax by the pool before returning to the Home Base for a cultural night where we’ll learn the rhythms and beats of the DR and learn the steps of typical dances, such as bachata and merengue.

We’ll visit a local community where we’ll roll up our sleeves and participate in an innovative and sustainable infrastructure project: bottle house building. Using recycled plastic bottles stuffed with trash to create sturdy “eco-bricks”, we’ll contribute to a structure for a family in need. This hands-on experience highlights the importance of sustainable building practices while making a tangible impact in the community. In the evening, we’ll come together for a leadership activity to reflect on our learnings from the DR and set meaningful goals for the future.

Our last day in the DR has arrived! Relax today with a snorkeling adventure in the crystal-clear Caribbean. The boat will stop in a spot that’s ideal for jumping in and checking out the tropical fish and coral that inhabit the area. Spend the day swimming in warm, inviting water, and post up on the beach for a well-deserved nap. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate all of your accomplishments and reflect on your experience in the DR

Alas, our Dominican adventure must come to an end! After breakfast and final goodbyes, we’ll travel to the airport together to board our flights home. At the airport, GLA staff will help you check in and see you off for your journey.