Health Science trip to Dominican Republic

by Alena Masterson

Over spring break  Health Science a group of students and faculty traveled to the Dominican Republic in order to help the community.

A total of ten students and three professors took their spring break to travel to the Dominican Republic. The students varied from sophomores to seniors and the three professors included Dr. Thomas Bennet, Dr. Robert Anzalone, and Dr. Lindsay Vago.

The group of students got to take part in helping a local community, expanding their knowledge of health standards in a different country. Kelly Reis, a senior, wrote that their tour guide advised them to not look upon the country with pity because there was a lot poverty, but instead accept it for the culture they have and make the best of situation to offer help.

During the week the students visited a school for children who didn’t have documentation or couldn’t afford to go to public schools. They also brought supplies to renovate their bathroom and found themselves interacting a lot with the kids who were often Haitian immigrants.

Reflecting back on the trip sophomore Becky Cooke said, “The trip was very exciting, eye opening, and rewarding experience, and I’m glad I got to share these unforgettable memories with new friends.”

Later in the week they explored more into the health care systems and what the community had to offer. They visited healthcare clinics and even nursing homes to sing to the elderly.

It wasn’t all work as the Ravens got to explore some of the country by going to a national park and a beach. “I highly encourage anyone thinking of going on a service trip to do so because you will leave with the warmest feeling in your heart knowing that you helped a community in even the smallest of ways,” wrote Kelly Reis in an email interview.

 

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For this article I conducted an in-person interview with one of the students that went on the trip. Becky Cooke talked about what the group did and how much she enjoyed the trip. The other source she wrote to me to tell me about her experience. It was from this that I got her quote and more information about the trip. The photo that was provided was from Becky from one of their trips to the school.