Leading up to this program, I did not know much of what to expect.  I certainly did not know how much spending just one week in a different country with people I had never met before would change my perspective in terms of my own professional growth as well as my general understanding of the world.  On a personal level, this experience impacted me to my core.  First and foremost, we had opportunities to connect with students from Universidad Central del Este that we would not have otherwise had.  Even with a language barrier, we banded together to assist in the well-being of children and families living in various bateys around the country.  We were able to provide vitamin supplements, Dengue protection, and lice treatments to the people living in these communities.  In doing so, a common theme that was constantly reinforced throughout our time abroad was the sense of community.  Whether it be through older children holding their younger siblings, the children laughing, running around chasing each other, or the university professors acting as the catalyst between us and the people of the bateys, a general feeling of belonging always lingered.  

This changed my perspective of the way I interact with those in my community, both at MSU and my hometown.  Experiencing the togetherness of the Dominican Republic made me realize that I did not want to go back to America exactly the way I came.  I wanted to embrace more aspects of humanity and truly appreciate human connection for what it is.  An aspect of the culture of the Dominican Republic that especially stood out to me was the fact that they accepted us as a group without hesitation.  This was particularly meaningful to me as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.  Oftentimes, I have noticed that stigma and preconceived ideas of certain groups of people result in hesitation or complete avoidance of certain interactions.  This was not the case with my experience in the DR.  I strive to bring back the sense of community that I learned while abroad.  Making sure everybody feels welcome is a massive part of what impacted me so much on a personal level during my time abroad, and I am truly grateful to have had this experience.  Especially with the chaos that has ensued in recent times as a result of COVID-19, it is now more crucial than ever that we come together as one humankind to support one another, encourage health and safety, and protect others from exposure to the virus.  With this in mind, I feel as though I could not have learned the value of community at a better time nor from a better place.  

Name: Kallie Cabanban
Status: Senior
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Wauconda, Illinois
Program: Global Health in Social Work and the Social Sciences, Dominican Republic