Global Health Immersion Program Internship
ILI Travel offers a five-day Global Health Immersion Program in the Dominican Republic for students interested in public health, healthcare, nursing, medicine, physician assistant studies, biology, social work, education, and community engagement. This is a short-term experiential learning program, not a paid internship or employment opportunity; students pay a program fee to participate.
Participants work in a small town in the Dominican Republic and engage in community health outreach, healthcare observation, and discussions of the social determinants of health while working alongside local Dominican partners in a supportive cohort environment. The program emphasizes relationship-centered working and learning, cultural humility, and experiential education. In addition to the hands-on community health outreach, students will tour a small Dominican hospital and engage in health care forums and trainings related to social detriments of health.
Students will participate in approximately 20 hours of organized programming over five days.
Responsibilities
Participants may:
- Assist with community health outreach activities.
- Participate in blood pressure screenings and health surveys under supervision.
- Engage in health education conversations with community members.
- Observe healthcare delivery through a hospital visit and discussions with healthcare professionals.
- Participate in structured reflection and group discussions.
- Develop greater understanding of social determinants of health and health disparities.
- Collaborate respectfully with fellow participants, local staff, and community members.
- Represent their college or university in a professional manner.
Desired Skills and Characteristics
Successful participants are typically:
- Curious and relationship-oriented.
- Interested in healthcare, public health, or service-learning.
- Strong communicators and team players.
- Adaptable and open to new experiences.
- Respectful of cultures and communities different from their own.
- Able to work collaboratively in a group setting.
Minimum Requirements
- Must be currently enrolled in a college or university.
- Must be at least 18 years old by January 5, 2027.
- Must possess a valid passport prior to departure.
- Must demonstrate maturity, professionalism, and willingness to follow program expectations.
- Previous healthcare or international experience is helpful but not required.
- Spanish language ability is not required; bilingual support is provided.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will strengthen skills in:
- Cultural competency
- Cross-cultural communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Community health assessment
- Health education
- Professional communication
- Reflective practice
- Understanding social determinants of health
Majors of Interest
- Public Health
- Nursing
- Biology
- Physician Assistant Studies
- Pre-Medicine
- Social Work
- Health Sciences
- Education
- Psychology