ILI Travel invites your university nursing program to partner with us for an immersive healthcare-focused service and cultural experience in the Dominican Republic.
This program is designed to give nursing and health science students hands-on exposure to global community health through service in a local community hospital in the Puerto Plata region.
Participants will assist in real-world healthcare settings—monitoring vital signs, supporting medication adherence, assisting with diabetic foot care, and participating in public health outreach programs. Cultural engagement, ethical reflections, and cross-cultural learning are central components of the experience.
We offer both a 10-day program and a condensed 8-day Spring Break option. Both are structured to maximize clinical engagement, intercultural learning, and impact, making them ideal for undergraduate or graduate students seeking global health exposure.
Program Details
- Destination: Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata region)
- Participants:
- Minimum: 12 students
- Maximum: 25 students
- Accommodations: Locally owned hotels (double or triple occupancy)
- Meals: Three daily meals included
- Local Transportation: Private group bus with 24/7 driver
A Typical Day in the Dominican Republic
Each day offers a structured blend of clinical service, community outreach, and cultural immersion:
- 7:00 AM – Breakfast at the hotel
- 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM – Service at community hospital (blood pressure checks, diabetic support, assisting with medication preparation, and patient education)
- 12:30 PM – Dominican-style lunch with peers and local staff
- 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM – Afternoon activities: mobile health outreach, health education workshops, or patient follow-ups
- 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Cultural engagement (beach visits, historical tours, cooking classes)
- 6:30 PM – Dinner
- 7:30 PM – Evening reflections and ethics discussions led by faculty and local coordinators
The experience encourages ongoing self-reflection on the role of culturally competent care, social determinants of health, and ethical international service.
What’s Included in the Program Fee?
- Accommodations for 8 or 10 days at locally owned hotels
- Three meals per day
- Full-time bilingual Dominican Tour Director
- Hands-on healthcare service placement in a community hospital
- 24/7 private transportation in-country
- All cultural and historical excursion
- Group reflections and leadership development programming
- Certificate of Global Health Service Leadership
Additional Costs (Not Included in Program Fee)
- Round-trip airfare (to be arranged separately)
- Personal spending money
- Gratuities for Dominican staff (~$100 per participant for 8-day trip; -$125 per participant for 10-day trip)
- Optional excursions (e.g., zip lining, surfing lessons, Monkey Jungle – available by request)
- Optional donations for purchasing local medical supplies and aid packages
The Impact: Healthcare Meets Humanity
This program enables college students to experience a holistic view of global health challenges, merging clinical practice with ethical service. Participants build intercultural awareness, clinical confidence, and a greater understanding of health equity—all while contributing to community-defined health priorities.
Commitment to Ethical Global Engagement
ILI Travel’s programs are built on direct collaboration with Dominican healthcare professionals and community leaders. All service projects are locally requested and aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).
Key principles include:
- Ethical service delivery
- Culturally respectful engagement
- Fair wages for all local staff
- Reciprocity and sustainability in all program design
Safety and Support
Student safety is our top priority. Each group is supported by:
- A full-time bilingual Dominican Tour Director
- A dedicated private driver available 24/7
- Licensed Dominican healthcare staff
- University faculty and staff chaperones
- ILI Travel’s in-country emergency response team
Next Steps
We look forward to the opportunity to work with your college in designing a global health experience that is immersive, ethical, and deeply impactful. We would be happy to host an information session, answer questions from faculty and students, and assist with all stages of planning.
Let’s prepare future healthcare leaders by giving them the chance to serve, learn, and grow—together in community.
Daily Sample Schedule
Day 1 – Arrival and Immersion
Arrive in the Dominican Republic and begin your journey with a tour of Puerto Plata. Explore its colonial architecture, enjoy tropical ice cream, and mingle in the central plaza. In the evening, share a welcome dinner with your host family and participate in a group reflection to set intentions for the week ahead.
Day 2 – Introduction to Community Health
Morning: Visit the community hospital. Meet local healthcare providers and receive an orientation on health challenges in the region.
Afternoon: Shadow hospital staff, observe patient care routines, and assist with non-invasive support such as organizing supplies, prepping exam rooms, and engaging with patients.
Evening: Attend a group session with a local nurse discussing common regional health issues, including hypertension and diabetes.
Day 3 – Health Screenings and Support
Morning: Begin assisting with basic health screenings: check blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature under supervision. Help guide patients through intake processes.
Afternoon: Work with nurses on medication management—discussing how to adjust doses, explaining schedules to patients, and identifying cases for physician follow-up.
Evening: Reflect as a group on patient interactions and the realities of healthcare access in underserved areas.
Day 4 – Diabetic Foot Care and Education
Morning: Focus on diabetic care: clean and dress foot wounds, support patient hygiene, and learn basic foot examination techniques under supervision.
Afternoon: Assist with educational sessions for patients on managing diabetes through diet, exercise, and regular care routines.
Evening: Try your hand at Dominican cuisine during a cooking class focused on healthy traditional meals for diabetics. Reflect on the intersection of food and medicine.
Day 5 – Community Health Outreach
Morning & Afternoon: Accompany mobile health workers or community nurses on local outreach rounds. Provide basic support during house visits—checking vitals, reinforcing medication schedules, and documenting follow-ups.
Evening: Join the neighborhood for a cultural event or dance workshop (Merengue/Bachata) to unwind and connect informally with the community.
Day 6 – Medication and Preventative Care
Morning: Work with patients who have chronic conditions. Help them understand their prescriptions and organize pillboxes for the week.
Afternoon: Assist with vaccination clinics or injection prep, offering support and reassurance to patients receiving treatment.
Evening: Participate in a community softball game—either as a player or spectator. Reflect on the role of recreation in wellness.
Day 7 – Excursion to Cayo Arena
Spend the day at Cayo Arena, a renowned snorkeling site. Swim among coral reefs, relax in the sun, and visit nearby mangroves. Optional ziplining and Monkey Jungle adventures are available. Enjoy a group dinner and reflect on the balance of service and rejuvenation.
Day 8 – Women’s Health and Reproductive Education
Morning: Support women’s health initiatives—help prepare for consultations, organize educational materials, and assist with intake for gynecological exams.
Afternoon: Facilitate or observe group health sessions on reproductive health, family planning, or maternal wellness.
Evening: Engage in a girls’ volleyball night or community youth activity to promote holistic health and empowerment.
Day 9 – Final Health Engagements and Donation Distribution
Morning & Afternoon: Wrap up hospital service work—revisit patients, assist in final treatments, and help with clinic organization.
Later, shop for medical supplies or hygiene kits at a local market and assist in distributing them to patients and families in need, accompanied by hospital staff.
Evening: Final group reflection on your week of service and learning. Celebrate your contributions and prepare for farewells.
Day 10 – Departure
Enjoy a heartfelt breakfast with your host family. Share final reflections, express gratitude to your community partners, and depart the Dominican Republic with newfound insight into global health and community resilience.
Ready to plan your experience?
Learn More about Global Health in Action: A Nursing Immersion in the Dominican Republic
Our team is available to answer any questions about program logistics, safety, academic alignment, or housing. Contact ILI Travel today to reserve your preferred travel dates and start preparing for a journey of service, learning, and cultural connection.