Annual DR Trip Provides Service and Immersion

By J1 Reporter Ella Visty

Marian’s annual service trip to the Dominican Republic will take place from May 24 to June 3, 2025. Marian has collaborated with Creighton University’s Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) for more than 18 years to send students on the mission trip. The cultural immersion, service to communities, and bonds formed with others in the Dominican Republic are experiences Marian students will never forget. 

This selective trip has a lengthy application process and is sponsored by Marian Campus Ministry. The application process includes an essay and an interview. Students approach this process in different ways.

Junior Isabella Valencia Valbuena wanted to showcase her true personality during the interview, saying, “Showing the real you gives so much depth. They want to see people who they know care.”

Junior Josie Piernicky wanted to present her best self and give her all during the process. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime, and I focused as much as possible to get the trip,” she said.

Both Valbuena and Piernicky trusted in God’s plan during the stressful process. “The one thing that kept me going was knowing God had a plan, and if God wanted me on the trip, then that’s where I’d be,” Piernicky said.

Once selected, the trip becomes an experience like no other. The Dominican Republic is vastly different from the United States. According to Valbuena, who has a background in Spanish, the language barrier was the most difficult aspect of the trip.

The conditions are significantly different from those in Nebraska. Several past travelers recalled stories of sleeping under mosquito nets, having chickens range through the house, and encountering spiders in the shower.

Piernicky addressed this challenge, saying, “The committee chooses us with that in mind. They pick people who they know will mentally persevere.”

Although the group stays in a poverty-stricken area, the joy in the air is palpable. “Everyone would prepare food for us and play music. We had parties, and everyone was dancing. We were treated with kindness and delicacy,” Valbuena said.

The service aspect of the trip, however, is not overshadowed by the fun. To prepare, the group meets twice a month leading up to the trip for prep-work. Once in the Dominican Republic, the service begins, and perspectives change. “It is so humbling to see people in poverty. It’s devastating to see how impoverished they are,” Piernicky said. The poverty does not diminish their spirit or their love.

After completing their tasks, the students form strong bonds with each other and the people they served. “You wanted to celebrate and cry with them,” Valencia said. She compared her host family to her real family and said the hardest part of the trip was saying goodbye.

This trip, open to juniors and seniors, is held every year. Anyone interested in going in the future should watch their email in October for more information. There is a cost to attend, around $3,500, but fundraising options—such as Field Day ice cream, dress-down days, and raffle baskets—help significantly lower the price. Students who cannot afford the cost may also receive financial assistance. It is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that shapes new perspectives on the world.