Nursing Students Engage in Service Trips Abroad

This spring, students and faculty from the Wegmans School of Nursing participated in study abroad trips to the Dominican Republic and Belize.

Organized through International Service Learning (ISL), the trips gave students the opportunity to deliver health care to underserved populations, enhance their clinical nursing skills, and expand their cultural awareness. By engaging in hands-on experiences, the students were able to strengthen their cultural competencies, promote public health education, and learn more about relevant issues in the health care profession.

Sixteen senior nursing students traveled to the Dominican Republic with faculty members Drs. Lori Dambaugh and Kylene Abraham, for a two-week immersive experience. The group worked with two communities, Zona Verde and La Cienega, and set up field clinics where they worked in small groups to perform patient interviews, assessments, exams, and collaborated with physicians to diagnosis and determine treatment plans. Students also had the opportunity to rotate through a pharmacy station at the clinic. In total, the students treated 170 patients.

The students also hosted a party and an Easter egg hunt for a local orphanage. Through fund raising efforts, they were able to donate money that paid for four months of utilities at the orphanage.

As part of the cultural exchange, students participated in a dance class where they learned the Merengue and Bachata and participated in a community share with local school children, face painting and playing games.

While there, the group traveled to Saona Island where they were able to swim in the Caribbean and spend time on the island, toured colonial Santo Domingo, took a boat ride to Cayo Levantado Beach, and enjoyed an overnight stay in Les Terrenas and time at Playa Bonita Beach.

Further West, Dr. Katherine Grams accompanied 13 students on a service-learning trip to Belize.

“This was a transformative experience for our nursing students, who had the opportunity to provide essential medical care to underserved communities,” Grams said.

Over the course of 14 days, students engaged in clinical activities including triage, patient history-taking, and physical assessments, working closely with local physicians to support diagnosis and treatment of various health conditions.

Beyond clinical work, students were immersed in the rich culture of the country. They participated in Easter celebrations, helped paint traditional tapestries, organized an Easter egg hunt for local children, and embraced the local cuisine. Home visits allowed students to extend care directly to families, while also encouraging community members to seek services at the clinic.

In addition to health care delivery, students engaged in community-building activities such as playing soccer, leading arts and crafts sessions, and distributing clothing and other essential items based on identified community needs.

“This eye-opening and rewarding experience not only allowed our students to apply their nursing skills in a real-world setting but also deepened their understanding of global health and cultural humility,” Grams said. “It was a powerful reminder of the impact compassionate care can have on communities in need.”