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The Dominican Republic has become a special place for many 熊猫AV免费 Judy Genshaft Honors College faculty, staff and students. The service-learning trip has run for more than a decade and has impacted the lives of hundreds of students who have provided hands-on health care support and education to communities across the country.

This December, , a professor in and a new affiliate faculty member in the Honors College, led the trip to a place that is as meaningful to her as it is to the college.

Martinez Tyson first traveled to the Dominican Republic as a high school student on a service-learning trip and has returned many times since, forming professional connections and maintaining contact with her original host family. She said the experience profoundly shaped her academic and professional path.

鈥淭hat transformative experience inspired me to pursue degrees in applied anthropology and public health, connected me with a Dominican host family who remains part of my life today, and forged friendships that have lasted decades,鈥� she said.

Before the weeklong trip, held Dec. 13鈥�20, Martinez Tyson led 20 students in the Honors course Health & Culture in the Dominican Republic, preparing them to critically engage with the experience by examining the historical, cultural, and political factors shaping regional health care systems. She said students were able to apply course concepts in visible, practical ways during the trip.

鈥淭eaching the class allowed me to blend my training in anthropology and public health while building on the professional relationships I鈥檝e cultivated in the Dominican Republic over the years,鈥� Martinez Tyson said. 鈥淭he students developed adaptability and resilience while navigating new experiences. Since many are premed, this experience also showed them that health goes beyond medicine 鈥� they saw firsthand the importance of public health and community education. The class and trip helped them think more critically and learn to genuinely listen to and respect different ways of knowing.鈥�

Taking It All In 

While in the Dominican Republic, students stayed with host families, immersing themselves in local food, culture, and traditions during quiet mornings over breakfast and lively evenings filled with dominoes and dancing.

First-year student Kritin Sharma approached the experience with an open mind and returned to the United States with lessons that extended beyond the classroom.

鈥淭he Dominican Republic is a place filled with many things,鈥� Sharma said. 鈥淚t has incredible food, beautiful views, and a society rich with culture and tradition. Experiencing all of this firsthand 鈥� from the home of a local family to the clinic of one of the most inspiring physicians I have ever met 鈥� is something I will never forget.鈥�

Students volunteered in local clinics, assisting patients and supporting care efforts, and participated in a community health fair where they developed educational activities and shared information on topics including HPV, breast and prostate cancer, menstrual health, feminine hygiene, water safety, and children鈥檚 mental health. The group also visited Universidad Cat贸lica Nordestana in San Francisco de Macor铆s, touring the campus, learning about its health sciences programs, and laying the groundwork for future collaboration between USF and UCNE.

For second-year student and biomedical engineering major Jumana Ahmed, building connections with the community reshaped how she understands health care and what effective treatment truly looks like.

鈥淭his experience reshaped how I understand health care and research at their core,鈥� Ahmed said. 鈥淢y time in the DR made clear the importance of reflecting on the lived realities of communities. I鈥檝e returned with a stronger commitment to pursue work rooted in community partnership, cultural understanding, and real-world impact.鈥� 

An Enduring Connection

Now a 12-year collaboration between the Kerolle Initiative for Community Health in the Dominican Republic and the Judy Genshaft Honors College, the program has become a tradition that continues to benefit both students and local communities.

Martinez Tyson said she looks forward to continuing the partnership and leading future trips.

鈥淭he longstanding partnership with the Kerolle Initiative and the Bella Vista community made this trip especially meaningful,鈥� Martinez Tyson said. 鈥淭houghtfully coordinated programming 鈥� including four clinic days, cultural activities, lectures, and deep immersion in Dominican food and culture 鈥� gave students an authentic understanding of how context, environment, and culture shape health and well-being.鈥�