The Department of Global Health’s short-term trips provide service learning opportunities for students to enhance their education by learning firsthand about the social determinants of health and provide an opportunity for students to experience healthcare in a different setting.
These trips are open to all Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences students who are enrolled in a degree program (clinical and non-clinical).
Spring Break Global Health Experiences
Spring break experiences* may include the following:
Las Canas, Dominican Republic
This trip is in partnership with 7elements Global and provides students an introduction to human security issues in the Dominican Republic. Students will be a part of implementing socially responsible and culturally appropriate service projects in local communities. These projects may include medical brigades, building houses, greenhouses, cement floors and bathrooms and other community projects.
Breathitt County, Kentucky (Appalachian Region)
This seven-night trip provides healthcare experience in a rural and under-resourced area in the U.S. By shadowing healthcare providers, students have an opportunity to contribute to the community through volunteerism and public-health projects.
Summer Global Health Experiences
Summer program offerings may include:
- Spanish for Healthcare Professionals in Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica (in partnership with don Quijote)
- Service learning is Sao Paolo, Brazil (in partnership with campus b)
*Students are responsible for covering the costs of their experiences. Travel is tentative and subject to change or cancellation
Note: Travel is tentative and subject to change or cancellation