Sturgis Travels: February 2023

Service Trip to the Dominican Republic

Over February break, a group of 23 students from both campuses traveled to the northern region of the Dominican Republic (Sosua and Cabarete) to complete a week-long service trip with the Mariposa Foundation. The Foundation supports at-risk girls through education and empowerment so that it can lift families out of generational poverty. Sturgis students were given the opportunity to work with student groups daily, participating in a variety of activities including: arts and crafts, dance, sports, games, and learning/teaching basic English.

Their big project, however, was helping the Foundation clear out a half acre of land of debris, rocks, and weeds so that it could start a sustainable vegetable garden as well as designate a specific area for compost. Students worked diligently with members of Mariposa and, by the end of the week, the project was completed! Patricia, its founder, shared the message of “the power of a day” with our students and thanked them for their generosity and service.

With that said, students still got to enjoy the beautiful sites that the D.R. has to offer! There were visits to the beach, surfing lessons, a trip to the Teleferico in Puerto Plata, and even Bachata and Merengue lessons!

On the last evening, students completed a final reflection regarding misconceptions they may have had about the D.R. before arriving. Some shared that people at home told them it wasn’t a safe place and that Dominicans would be unfriendly to Americans. But now they know that Dominicans are some of the friendliest people they have ever met and they never felt uncomfortable or unsafe while visiting. When chaperones asked if students would consider attending a service trip vs. a tour in the future, they all raised their hands! It was an unforgettable trip! Check out the link to view more photos of our travels.