Dominican Republic | January 5–9, 2027
Spend five days in the Dominican Republic learning about global health through community outreach, healthcare observation, cultural immersion, and reflection.
Safe. Impactful. Empowering. Fun.
Designed for students interested in:
- Public Health
- Nursing
- Medicine
- Physician Assistant Studies
- Biology
- Social Work
- Education
- Community Health
This highly supported cohort experience combines meaningful engagement with plenty of time for friendship, relaxation, and fun.
Students work alongside local Dominican partners while exploring how housing, education, transportation, food access, income, social support, and environment shape health outcomes.
This is a short, relationship-centered experience for students who want meaningful international exposure without committing to a longer independent internship.
How This Program Is Different
ILI Travel believes that meaningful global experiences are built on relationships, not simply activities. Our relationship-centered approach emphasizes learning with communities rather than simply serving them. Students are encouraged to approach this experience with curiosity, humility, and a desire to understand the people and communities they encounter.
Relationship-Centered Learning
Learn with and from Dominican communities through meaningful interactions and shared experiences.
Real Community Health Outreach
Participate in blood pressure screenings, health surveys, health education, and conversations with community members.
Healthcare System Exposure
Visit a local hospital and learn from Dominican healthcare professionals.
Social Determinants of Health
Hear from local professionals about the real-life factors that shape health outcomes.
Structured Reflection
Turn experiences into insights and develop stories and language that can strengthen future interviews, applications, and careers.
Cultural Immersion
Enjoy bachata dancing, beach time, local food, and authentic experiences beyond the resort areas.
Supportive Group Model
Travel with other students, ILI staff, local partners, and bilingual support.
Highly Supervised
24/7 staff support and carefully designed programming help students feel confident and supported throughout the experience.
Program Dates
January 5–9, 2027
Program Itinerary
Day One: Arrival, Orientation, and Welcome
- Arrive in Puerto Plata and meet the ILI Travel team.
- Explore Puerto Plata and begin seeing the community beyond the resort areas.
- Enjoy a welcome dinner together on the beach.
- Begin reflecting on what it means to enter a community respectfully.
Day Two: Community Health Outreach, Hospital Visit, and Bachata Dancing
- Participate in community health outreach in small groups with bilingual cultural guides.
- Help conduct blood pressure screenings, health surveys, and health education.
- Visit a local hospital and learn from healthcare leaders.
- Learn bachata dancing, one of the Dominican Republic’s signature traditions.
- Enjoy free time at the beach and pool and dinner on your own with friends.
Day Three: Community Health Outreach, Social Determinants of Health, and Playa Alicia
- Return to the community and begin recognizing patterns and barriers to health.
- Learn from local health professionals, educators, and community leaders.
- Explore how housing, education, transportation, food access, income, environment, and social support influence health outcomes.
- Spend the afternoon at beautiful Playa Alicia.
- Enjoy independent time and dinner with friends.
Day Four: Final Fieldwork, Reflection, and Adventure
- Complete a final morning of community health outreach.
- Reflect on what you have learned and how your understanding of health has changed.
- Spend the afternoon at Monkey Jungle and ziplining (optional).
- Celebrate the experience with a final group dinner and reflection.
Day Five: Reflection and Departure
- Return home with a deeper understanding of global health and the relationships that shape well-being.
- Reflect on the biggest influences on community health.
- Discuss how this experience can shape future careers and service.
What’s Included
- Lodging
- Most meals
- In-country transportation
- Community health outreach experiences
- Hospital visit
- Social determinants of health panel
- Bachata dance lesson
- Bilingual support
- 24/7 staff support
- Structured reflections
- Opening night dinner
- Final celebration dinner
Safety and Support
ILI Travel programs are built around long-term relationships, responsible planning, and student support.
Students are never sent into communities alone. Program activities are coordinated with trusted Dominican partners and supported by bilingual staff.
Students receive orientation, clear expectations, and structured guidance throughout the experience.
This program is ideal for students who are excited about global health but may not feel ready for a longer independent international experience.
Program Fee
Regular Price
$1,850 plus airfare
Early Commitment Scholarship
Enroll by Labor Day or until the first 15 accepted students secure their place, whichever comes first.
$1,850 $1,595 plus airfare
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Amount | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | $100 | Within five days of acceptance |
| First Payment | $875* | September 15, 2026 and trip paperwork is due |
| Final Payment | $875** | November 15, 2026 |
* minus early commitment discount if applicable
** minus refer a friend if applicable
Refund Policy
The $100 deposit is non-refundable.
| Cancellation Date | Refund |
|---|---|
| On or before September 15, 2026 | Payments refunded beyond the deposit |
| September 16–October 31, 2026 | 50% refund of payments made beyond the deposit |
| November 2026 | 25% refund of payments made beyond the deposit |
| Beginning December 1, 2026 | No refund |
Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance.
Not Included
- International airfare
- Passport fees
- Travel insurance
- Two independent dinners
- Monkey Jungle and ziplining admission
- Personal spending money
Suggested Tips
| Item | Suggested Amount |
|---|---|
| Dominican staff and guides | $9 per day |
| Monkey Jungle guide | $2–$5 |
| Ziplining guide | $2–$5 |
Travel Together Scholarship
Global experiences are even better with friends.
Invite a classmate, teammate, roommate, or friend to join you.
Friends Receive:
- $50 scholarship for each referred friend.
Referring Students Receive:
- $100 travel credit for one friend.
- $200 total travel credit for two or more friends.
Referral credits are applied to the final payment after the referred student enrolls and pays the deposit.
| Referral Situation | Your Price |
| Regular Price | $1,850 |
| Early Commitment Scholarship | |
| Early Commitment + 1 enrolled friend | |
| Early Commitment + 2 or more enrolled friends* |
*This reflects the lowest possible program fee. Additional offers, referral credits, or discounts cannot reduce the program fee below this amount.
Apply Today
Space is limited.
Applications are reviewed individually, and accepted students will receive instructions for submitting their deposit and securing their place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this program safe?
Student safety is ILI Travel’s highest priority.
Participants are supported by bilingual ILI staff throughout the program. A bilingual tour director and driver are with the group 24 hours a day and stay at the same hotel as participants.
During community health outreach, students work in small groups accompanied by a bilingual local ILI staff member. Students are never sent into communities alone.
Students also receive orientation, clear expectations, and ongoing support throughout the experience.
Watch these parent and administrator testimonials about safety and engagement.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No.
Spanish language ability is not required.
Bilingual staff and cultural guides provide support throughout the program, making this experience accessible even for students with no Spanish background.
Watch a student interacting in the community on a youth empowerment trip.
Will I be traveling with other students?
Yes.
This is a cohort-based experience designed specifically for students who want to travel and learn alongside others.
Many participants join with friends, classmates, or teammates, while others travel independently and quickly develop friendships within the group.
Go to our YouTube channel to watch videos of student experiences.
Are these religious/mission trips?
No.
ILI Travel is a secular organization that welcomes participants from all backgrounds and works with a wide variety of schools, universities, community organizations, and faith communities.
Our programs are not designed to promote any particular religion or belief system, and participants are never expected to engage in religious activities.
Rather than traditional mission trips, ILI Travel offers relationship-centered experiential learning experiences that emphasize cultural humility, mutual learning, and locally defined goals. Students are encouraged to learn with communities rather than simply serve them.
Religious groups are welcome to partner with ILI Travel and may incorporate their own traditions, reflections, or learning objectives into a customized experience.
Watch this YouTube video to learn more about ILI Travel’s relationship-centered approach.
What are the accommodations like?
Participants stay in safe, clean, and comfortable accommodations.
While the experience is not luxurious, the accommodations are generally nicer than those typically associated with service-learning trips.
Students can expect a comfortable and welcoming environment that supports both learning and relaxation.
While we cannot guarantee the hotel we will use until we have a trip filled and are ready to book, here is a hotel at which we frequently stay.
What is community health outreach?
Community health outreach is the most meaningful aspect of this specific program.
Working in small groups with bilingual staff, students help conduct blood pressure screenings, health surveys, health education, and conversations with community members.
These experiences help students better understand healthcare access, prevention, and the social factors that influence health. Perhaps most importantly, we have been invited in at the request of the community to help with prevention and education.
No prior experience is required.
See students participating in community health outreach:
https://youtube.com/shorts/rKGr5tzFLRA?si=Ydil3Vip97eQP7vQ
How much free time is there?
The program balances structured activities with opportunities for independence and relaxation.
Students enjoy free time at the beach and pool, and on two evenings participants have dinner on their own with friends.
Transportation to and from the hotel is provided.
The goal is to balance meaningful learning with opportunities to relax and enjoy the Dominican Republic.
I’ve never traveled internationally. Is this program right for me?
Absolutely.
Many participants are first-time international travelers.
The program is intentionally designed to provide support, structure, and guidance for students who may not yet feel ready for longer independent experiences abroad.
For many students, this program serves as a first step toward future international experiences.
What should I pack?
ILI Travel provides a suggested packing list on the website to help students prepare.
The list includes clothing recommendations, travel essentials, and practical tips to make packing easy.
What paperwork is required?
The paperwork requirements for the program are straightforward, and links to all required forms are provided on the ILI Travel website.
For Travelers Age 18 and Older
Participants are required to complete:
- Travel Waiver Form
- Must be signed and notarized.
- Photo Release Form
- Required for all participants.
- Does not need to be notarized.
Completed forms are due with the first program payment following the initial deposit.
We encourage participants to complete the paperwork early to avoid last-minute stress.
If you have questions about any of the required forms, ILI Travel staff are happy to help.
Learn more about preparing for the trip and completing required paperwork.
What if I don’t know anyone going?
That’s completely normal.
Some students join with friends, while many participate on their own.
Because students live, learn, reflect, and explore together, participants often develop strong friendships during the program.
Traveling alone can be one of the best ways to meet new people and become part of a supportive community.
Can I travel with friends?
Absolutely.
Many students choose to participate with roommates, classmates, teammates, or friends.
Participants who refer friends may also qualify for the Travel Together Scholarship.
Global experiences are often even more meaningful when shared with others.
Watch groups of friends experiencing the Dominican Republic together.
Will this experience help me professionally?
Yes.
Students interested in public health, nursing, medicine, physician assistant studies, biology, social work, education, and related fields gain valuable exposure to healthcare systems, community health outreach, and the social determinants of health.
Participants also develop cultural competency, communication skills, teamwork, and stories that can strengthen future interviews, graduate school applications, and careers.
What happens if I get sick?
ILI Travel staff are available throughout the program and can assist students in obtaining medical care if needed.
Participants are encouraged to purchase travel insurance that includes medical coverage and emergency assistance.
The program’s bilingual staff and local partners are available to help students navigate any medical concerns that arise.
Why are some dinners on our own?
College students benefit from having some independence.
The program intentionally includes two evenings where participants can enjoy dinner with friends, explore the area, and experience the Dominican Republic in a way that balances structured learning with personal choice.
Group transportation to and from the hotel is provided.
Students consistently appreciate having opportunities to relax and enjoy time together outside of formal programming.