Most college students dream of traveling somewhere warm for spring break. Aquinas College students have the opportunity of fulfilling this desire as well as the chance to help others by journeying to the Dominican Republic on a service-learning trip.

Working with FUMSIL, a community outreach program, students assist in medical clinics, work in the children’s nutrition clinic, do community assessments, assist in the center for the elderly, and work on construction project and bio-sand filters. Students mostly work in the mountains, aiding the Haitians on the Dominican border.

Sparked by an interest in FUMSIL, alumna Jessica Coffelt '10 worked with Eric Bridge, Coordinator of Service-Learning, to create a service-learning trip to the Dominican Republic. Since 2007, students have been traveling twice a year (during fall and spring break) to the Dominican Republic.

"The experience is once in a lifetime, or if you go more than once, I guess it comes two times. It’s something that I feel has really humbled me as a person and it helped me see God in a brighter way,” said Courtney Havens-Mitchell.

Not only are students presented with the chance to help others, but they also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture and interact in a foreign tongue.

“Students get to experience an exciting and exotic culture…being in a culture that speaks Spanish is very interesting,” said Audrey Rillema.

This year will also be Rillema’s second trip to the Dominican Republic. This time, however, she travels as a student leader along with Havens-Mitchell. Responsible for the group, fundraising, and meetings, these two embrace the Aquinas motto of making a difference.