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Hike for Humanity: A Day on the Hike

Nov 11, 2013 in Costa Rica, Global Health, Hike for Humanity, ISL Staff, Volunteer

Hike for Humanity is a very special ISL program which provides health services to communities of indigenous populations. H4H is an exciting and rewarding experience because we bring health services into communities which, due to difficult geographical access, have been denied those services in the past.

Our adventure begins in San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, where we pack all of our luggage, medicines, and medical supplies onto a bus and drive to the Caribbean province of Limon on the Telire river.

Jennifer Wootton: Costa Rica Reflection

Nov 1, 2013 in Costa Rica, Essay Contest, Volunteer, Volunteer Voices

During the summer of 2013 I had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica and work with a wonderful team of individuals whose mission was and still is to grow and learn through helping those who are less fortunate. Little did I know that I was the one who would be transformed by the whole experience. As we visited the people of La Carpio and Fraijanes, we were able to provide medical care and treatment for many and in doing so,

We Do Not Have to Wait Until the Next Trip to Make a Difference!

Oct 21, 2013 in Dominican Republic, Essay Contest, Volunteer, Volunteer Voices

It is not until we embark on a journey so far from home that we realize how much we have and how in debt we are to serve the world surrounding. Far from our comfort zone in a new area we are called to make a difference. I have been on many mission trips but the most memorable experience was in Dominican Republic through ISL. What an awesome responsibility and opportunity it is to travel to another country and be of service to others less privileged.

Jennifer Lamb: Physical Therapy in Costa Rica

Jul 1, 2013 in Costa Rica, Physical Therapy, Volunteer, Volunteer Voices

I cannot believe I have been able to gain so much experience as a physical therapist and I could not ask for better people to experience this with. With only 8 girls, we were able to get to know each other and become close friends. For the first 3 days we assisted the PT team at Santiago Crespo Calvo Nursing Home and learned how to use the equipment and got a crash course in Spanish.

Danielle Eves: A New Way to Travel

Nov 5, 2012 in ISL Staff, Jamaica, Volunteer, Volunteer Voices

“A New Way to Travel” by Danielle Eves

I contemplate the toenail with trepidation. It is the thickest toenail I have ever seen, with a yellow opaque quality indicative of fungus. Upon closer inspection I see it is even too thick for the pair of toenail clippers Sonia has given me. My elderly patient begins to mumble in a thick Jamaican Patois accent, and I can only just make out what she is trying to say.

Eva Baldisserotto: Tanzania Reflection

Aug 9, 2012 in Global Health, Tanzania, Volunteer, Volunteer Voices

I can still remember the feeling I had while sitting in JFK airport awaiting my first flight of the long journey ahead of me before I would arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport. I had no idea what to expect and I could almost already feel a change within myself. There was such a mix of emotions: fear, angst, nervousness… but most of all the excitement. I had never been that far from home for that amount of time on my own,

Megan Gilchrist: Nicaragua Medical Reflection

Feb 27, 2012 in Global Health, Nicaragua, Volunteer, Volunteer Voices

ISL provided me with a once in a lifetime opportunity filled with adventure, compassion, and more learning experiences than I could have hoped for. I valued each and every patient that we encountered, implementing skills ranging from the basics of the patient history, to a physical exam, to diagnosing and prescribing the appropriate treatment. I was able to see a community very different from my own and treasured the associated adventures from a quinceanera,

Jamie Lagrange: Dominican Republic & Haiti Reflection

Feb 12, 2012 in Dominican Republic, Volunteer, Volunteer Voices

ISL was an overall amazing experience. Between working in clinics, hands on experience with doctors, visiting homes in Dominican Republic and Haiti, trying local food, and a day on the Caribbean beach, ISL was the perfect mixture of the type of trip I was seeking. Throughout the trip, I meet so many wonderful people, including the ISL staff and other students I worked with during the week. This experience has opened my eyes to so many things and I would recommend it to anyone!

Joy Archie: Mexico Medical Reflection

Jan 30, 2012 in Mexico, Volunteer, Volunteer Voices

Favorite memory from trip:

It’s hard to pick one moment as the ‘best.’ Being able to spend 10 days with a group of people who are such good hearted people is in itself special. Anyone who is going on a trip like this has to have their heart in the right place. In such a short amount of time we learned such valuable information that will be pertinent in our future health care careers.

Joshua Whelan: Tanzania Medical Reflection

Jan 15, 2012 in Tanzania, Volunteer, Volunteer Voices