1,887 miles away – Moraine Park in Jamaica!

Students in Jamaica

Nine MPTC Health Program students and two instructors participated in a service learning medical trip to Jamaica over spring break, from March 19-26. Our time was spent in the poorest area of the island, Hagley Gap, where we performed home visits to the rural mountains, visited a school, and helped in the local clinic.

We learned about the culture by staying with host families, indulged in their native foods, and celebrated the Easter holiday.

This was my second trip to Jamaica through the International Education study abroad program~ as I’ve traveled to third world countries before, I knew what to expect this trip but it’s always exciting and refreshing to see it through the students’ eyes, especially those who have never flown or been outside the country before! My favorite aspects of the trip are always the amazing meals with our host families, and hiking the mountains to do home visits through the hot tropical temperatures.

This year we took a hike up the second tallest Caribbean peak to watch the sunrise the next morning, it was incredible!

A fun time had by all, thanks to the MPTC International Education program and collaboration with the Blue Mountain Project! This program in Jamaica is an annual study abroad program with Moraine Park. Learn more about study abroad opportunities at facebook.com/internationalmptc or visit morainepark.edu/studyabroad!

Written by Andrea Dobogai
Nursing Instructor