Health
Each student is given an updated list of immunizations and health concerns upon acceptance to the program and will also have the opportunity to purchase these inoculations at a discount from Drew Health Services. The group meets with Drew Health Services and receives information about health issues specific to our destination, they also familiarize themselves with health issues ranging from insect bites to dehydration. Project participants are required to receive Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization recommended immunizations before departure (verified by their doctor) unless restricted by religious or other beliefs.
we arrive in country, great care is taken to ensure the safest food, water, and living conditions are provided for all participants. Each trip is equipped with a comprehensive first aid kit. Group leaders, the faculty advisor, and several other students have up-to-date Red Cross certification in community first aid and emergency medicine.
All students have an emergency insurance card and a passport registered with the US Embassy through the Smart Traveler Program (or the relevant consulate in the case of non-citizens). In case of minor illness, the project has identified high quality doctors and hospitals with a safe blood supply.
In the case of severe illness, injury, or political disturbance, all students have access to the Medvac airlift service of the US State Department, and the State Department makes every effort to notify US citizens of potential risk through its Smart Traveler program and phone ap.
Safety
Like all off campus programs, Drew Honduras Project trips are reviewed by Faculty Advisory Committee (and where necessary, Drew’s Health and Safety committee) and the Faculty Advisor and trip chaperone must provide plans to show how they will avoid risk and if necessary arrange for evacuation or alternative accommodation. Contact information, travel details, and other available documents may be reviewed if necessary. At no point during the trip is any participant left alone or without a fluent Spanish speaker. When students are not with the larger group, they always travel in groups of at least four, including at least one male and at least one fluent Spanish speaker. Group leaders and the faculty advisor work in conjunction with community partners to anticipate any health or safety concerns at work sites or on excursions and carry a local cell phone and a US cell phone at all times.
The protection of valuables can never be assured, even in the United States, but the project works to provide students with safe facilities for the storage of passports and other valuables. (Students are advised not to bring anything that they would not mind seeing lost, dirtied, or donated.)
Any questions or concerns about health, safety, or general DHP preparations can be directed to any DHP board member or the Faculty Advisor.
Students and their families are asked to review the State Department travel information about the Dominican Republic for an update on the political and crime situation or any other breaking news of relevance to the trip.