This summer a group of 10 Seattle Prep students traveled to the Dominican Republic. They embarked on a 12-day trip with Education Across Borders, an organization dedicated to service and cultural exchange. The trip started by taking the group to Santiago, the heart to the Dominican Republic, and then to Franco Bidó, which is a small mountain community, where they group of students and teachers worked alongside local families to build homes, plant trees, and immerse themselves in the daily life of those living in the small village.
When talking to Marleigh Durie ’26 and Clara Schneider ’26 they both said they wanted to go on the trip to “to gain a better perspective on global issues and to build community in a new environment.” Not only were they there to “gain a better perspective” but they both wanted to “grow spiritually and get out of comfort zone.”
The first days of the trip in Santiago were spent learning about the city, its culture, and its history. Soon after, the group traveled up into the mountains of Franco Bidó, where they stayed with host families. Living in the homestays gave all the students an authentic experience of the Dominican Republic. Durie explained how this was her favorite part of the whole trip. She said, “I stayed up until midnight playing card games and learning how to dance bachata.”
Service was at the heart of the trip. In Franco Bidó, students worked with locals to build homes, and later in Santiago, they spent time at Batey Libertad, which is a Haitian refugee camp, running children’s camps and building relationships. Durie explains how this was the most impactful part of the trip for her. “Even though I was there to support them, they were the ones making sure I felt comfortable.”
In all, the trip had so many purposes. Building homes, planting trees, teaching camps, and gaining a deeper understanding of the global education issue. Above all, Durie told me that the strength of community was what stood out to her the most. “Everywhere we went, community was at the center.” For Schneider what stood out to her “was how everyone welcomed and wanted to give me things when they didn’t have a lot themselves.” In all the community was very welcoming and loving to all the students who traveled and spent time doing service in the DR.
For future participants of the trip, the advice Durie and Schneider shared, “It’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone, grow as a leader, and immerse yourself in a welcoming community.”
The trip was more than service: it was all about growth, connection, and discovering the true power of community across borders.
