Creighton-ILAC Programs
Serve and Learn in the Dominican Republic
More than 5,000 Creighton students have traveled to the Dominican Republic via programs developed in collaboration between Creighton's Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) and Centro de Educación para la Salud Integral (CESI). We call them Creighton-ILAC programs for short. These programs are offered for dental, medical, nursing, pharmacy, law, physical therapy, occupational therapy and undergraduate students.
Creighton-ILAC programs are grounded in a true exchange of gifts. Through collaboration with faculty and staff across campus, students have the opportunity to live in solidarity with, and experience the hospitality of, Dominican communities while using their skills to serve others. Programs vary in length, and while many are true study abroad experiences offering course credits, others are non-credit trips focused on service and immersion.
Opportunities to Learn and Serve
ILAC hosts a variety of immersive programs, giving students opportunities to learn through service, healthcare and cultural engagement. Programs include:
- Faith & Service Volunteer Program | August | 11 months
- Education Exploration | May | 3 weeks
- Water Quality Program | May | 3 weeks
- Law Program, Ronald Volkmer DR Immersion Trip | December | 1 week
- Nursing Immersion | Fall Break | 1 week
- Summer Health Program | July | 3 weeks
- Occupational Therapy (OT) Rotation | Jan.-Feb. | 3 weeks
- Physical Therapy (PT) Clinical Immersion
- Medicine Women's Health Elective | Feb. | 4 weeks
- Medicine Women's Health Elective | Feb. | 4 weeks
- And many more!
Encuentro Dominicano
Creighton’s Premier Academic Service-learning Program
Encuentro Dominicano embodies the Jesuit mission of promoting justice, striving for excellence and dedication to the truth. Students in the program enhance their academic learning and civic education through exposure to the realities of life in the Dominican Republic—whether in class, at a service site, during an immersion in a rural campo community, or through social and cultural activities. Students live in solidarity with people who are materially poor or marginalized and build community with their rural campo hosts as well as with fellow Encuentro Dominicano students. Note that Encuentro Dominicano is fall semester program only; applications open in December for the following fall semester abroad.
“I wouldn’t change my study abroad experience for the world... It helped me learn and grow in ways I never thought were possible.”
Kathryn McGovern, Class of 2026
Contact Us
Creighton-ILAC
Phone: 402.280.2221
Fax: 402.280.2211
Office:
Creighton Hall
Global Engagement Office
Suite 334, Third Floor
