This program will run during winter break from January 3 through January 18, 2026.

While being based in Las Canas, students will visit different communities each day. Each community has its own way of life. Brisbon relies on dairy milk and cocoa production and kids have to walk almost 4 hours to/from school each day. Another one's main economic base relies on working at a garbage dump earning only $5 a day. Another relies on bee farming and has unsafe drinking water, polluted rivers and no access to public education. One very rural community has a coalition of women who work together to produce wine, chocolate, marmalade, and cocoa butter yet have very little access to healthcare. While we can't visit every community in the region, we will have meaningful connections with whom we interact with each day.

Itinerary for 2026:

Day 1: Arrival – Orientation – Medical Brigade Training

Day 2: Medical Brigade – Cano Dulce *1– Visit Clinic Construction Site

Day 3: Service Day – Construction Medical Clinic

Day 4: Medical Brigade - Polanco

Day 5: Adventure Day – Du’Du’ Lagoon/Playa Grande

Day 6: Service Day – Construction Medical Clinic

Day 7: Medical Brigade – Guanabano – Visit Chocolate Factory

Day 8: Medical Brigade – Cano Dulce *2

Day 9: Adventure Day – Rio Jamao - BBQ

Day 10: Service Day – Construction Medical Clinic – Visit Hospital – Gaspar Hernandez (Public & Private)

Day 11: Service Day – Construction Medical Clinic – Visit Hospital – Sabaneta (Public)

Day 12: Medical Brigade – Gaspar Hernandez

Day 13: Cabarete Beach

Day 14: Departure

Students will stay at a guest house in Las Canas owned by 7 Elements called the Indalo Lodge, which will serve as the home base for the entire program. Students will move around to different communities each day and return to the guest house at the end of the day.

Program Fee: $3,200 before funding

Funding Sources:

For SPARK eligible students, you will receive the $1,500 SPARK Grant from the Center for Life's Work. Your final out-of-pocket cost will be $1,700.

For non-SPARK eligible undergraduate students and graduate students, you will receive $300 in funding from the Center for International Education. Your final out-of-pocket cost will be $2,900.

Program Fee Includes:

• Round trip airfare
• All accommodations
• All meals
• All in-country transportation
• All projects, activities, workshops, entry-fees, day-trips, etc.
• International travel and medical insurance

Not Included:

• Passport (must be valid at least 6 months past the return date of the program). 
• Miscellaneous expenses (such as souvenirs, personal care items, etc.)

Visit the following sites to see the recommended immunizations and medications for your program. Talk with your family and your physician to understand which ones you may need to travel. 

CDC 

Passport Health

U.S. Department of State

Step 1: APPLY NOW

Step 2: PRINT, SIGN AND DELIVER TO GAC 121

Please complete Step 1 and Step 2 of the application by September 19th for consideration. All students will be required to complete an online application and then schedule a brief interview. Acceptance emails will be sent out shortly after the completion of all interviews. The payment timeline will be shared with students once they are accepted into the program.