VISIONS: Dominican Republic High School Service Program

My experience with visions program was truly an honor, getting to learn a new culture and learn about their country was amazing, it opened my eyes to a different perspective on the world!! I loved the program and activities, especially my leaders were truly the best ones as well. It was sad to part with the community and my new friends, but good things must come to an end, sadly. I wish to one day participate in a program again!! Thank you for this beautiful opportunity I’ll never forget any of it!

Our child had an amazing experience with VISIONS and came home with so many wonderful stories to share. Being immersed in the local culture and community, while also taking part in meaningful service projects, made the experience truly special. It was wonderful to see how much he learned from the people he met and the experiences he had. VISIONS gave our son the opportunity to step outside his comfort zone, grow, and see the world from a different perspective. It was so much more than a trip, it was an experience that he will remember for years to come.

Great experience - our daughter absolutely loved it and immediately wanted to turn around and go back when she came home at the end. She connected really well with her fellow participants and felt that the service work was really meaningful and fulfilling. She gained a lot of valuable perspective too. The whole program was thoughtfully managed; communication was great in advance and throughout, safety standards were high, and the program team is a great group of people. Couldn’t recommend it more highly!

At first, I was against the idea of going to the Dominican Republic. I wasn't excited about leaving home for two weeks, and I honestly didn't think it would be something I'd enjoy. Looking back now, I couldn't have been more wrong. Going on this trip ended up being the best decision I made all summer, and it's an experience I'll never forget.

My trip to the Dominican Republic was a 10/10 experience. Going into the trip, I expected to help others and experience a new culture. Still, I never expected to leave with so many amazing memories and friendships that felt like family. It was incredible how quickly everyone came together. In such a short amount of time, complete strangers became some of the closest people I've ever met, and that was easily the best part of the trip.

One thing that surprised me the most was getting to play soccer with everyone. Soccer is something I love, and I wasn't expecting to have the chance to play during the trip. Whether we were playing with each other or with local kids, it created unforgettable moments and brought everyone even closer together.

The work we did throughout the trip was also much more enjoyable than I expected. Instead of feeling like a job, it felt like a fun activity that everyone took part in together. Working side by side as a team made everything more enjoyable, and seeing everyone encourage each other made even the harder tasks feel rewarding. It was a great reminder of what people can accomplish when they work together with a positive attitude.

The counselors were another huge reason why this trip was so special. They were always supportive, approachable, and made sure everyone felt included. During the homestay, our counselor Alexis made the experience even better. He was an amazing leader who knew how to keep everyone laughing while also making sure we were comfortable and having a good time. My homestay group was filled with incredible people, and sharing that experience with them is something I'll always appreciate.

Outside of the service work, the activities were amazing. Going to the beach, swimming in the natural pools, and exploring places like Cotuí and Samaná gave us the chance to experience the beauty of the Dominican Republic while making even more memories together. The hotel stay was also a nice change of pace. It allowed everyone to relax and spend time together in a different environment after staying at the original house for most of the trip.

The food was decent overall. While it was good, I was expecting to have more traditional Dominican meals throughout the trip. The rooms were also just okay—not anything luxurious—but they were comfortable enough, and honestly, the people around me made the accommodations matter so much less.

The hardest part of the entire experience was saying goodbye. Since our group left in stages, it felt like we were slowly being separated from each other one by one. Watching everyone leave was emotional because it meant saying goodbye to people who had become like family in such a short amount of time. Even though the trip had to end, the friendships, memories, and lessons I gained will stay with me forever. I would recommend this trip to anyone because it was truly one of the best experiences of my life.

Participating in the visions program in the Dominican Republic as a teenager was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. From the moment we arrived, the people were incredibly kind and welcoming it truly felt like we became part of the community.

During the program, we got to explore many beautiful places, learn about the rich history and culture of the country, and of course, enjoy some fun time at the beach! What made the experience even more special was the opportunity to give back. we helped teach English to local kids and took part in a construction project at a school.

Beyond the service work, I grew so much as a person. Living and working alongside locals taught me the value of connection, teamwork, and cultural exchange. It was an unforgettable summer that I’ll always cherish, and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a mix of adventure, service, and real personal growth.

I love Visions’ approach to teach kids about the value of community. It’s more than excursions and visiting a beautiful place. It’s the valuable experience of guiding a group of teens to work together to accomplish something significant together, and having fun along the way.

Julia had an amazing experience! She made valuable friendships and came home with a renewed enthusiasm to set goals for her senior year and beyond. The program enforces a “can do” attitude promoting a growth mindset all while having fun experiences with new friends.

I am a VISIONS student alum that was grateful to participate in three programs with VISIONS, the Northern Cheyenne Montana, British Virgin Islands and Peru. There is a reason why I kept wanting to spend my summers on VISIONS programs, they are the perfect combination of challenging service projects, fun activities and cultural events. My favorite part about these programs was the connections I made with the local partners in each place. I was welcomed into each community and by the end of each program it felt like I had formed meaningful friendships and family with the locals, VISIONS staff and other kids. I still keep in contact with some of the other participants and leaders that I met through VISIONS. These programs also have propelled me into the type of career I want and have been extremely beneficial to include on my resume.

I would just like to start this review with the most important message in this writing. If you are on the fence about doing this program, please do it. One of my main concerns about this trip was my Spanish speaking ability. Once you get settled in you soon realize that if you are having trouble with a language barrier, there are many kind people around you that can help you translate. Words can’t describe how much of a blessing this trip was for me. I enjoyed every second of every minute of my time in the D.R . I adored every moment from hanging out with the locals, to getting to know the councilors, to even helping out clean the house with my peers. This trip helped me out tremendously mentally as well as physically and socially. I personally made special connections with a bunch of the little kids as well as the older kids in the local town that I will cherish forever. It really made a difference to me that the same local kids I would be hanging out with and joking amongst with, were the same kids we were helping to build the school for. All in all, the special memories we all created with each other, will be memories that will last a life time and I would do this trip over and over again if I could. I also want to leave a special thanks to Georgia, Luis, Sammy, Meg, Leyri and Larry for keeping all of us safe and taken care of during our time on the trip! Thank you all.