USCB Healthcare Students Give Back: Service Trip to the Lakota Nation
Trip dates:
June 21-27, 2025
Where:
Pine Ridge Reservation, Pine Ridge, South Dakota
What:
In this service learning trip, USCB is partnering with Re-Member, an independent, non-profit organization working with the Oglala Lakota Nation on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Volunteers improve the quality of life for those who live here and learn about the culture of the Oglala Lakota Nation.
Academic coursework will focus on the social determinants of health and public health. Faculty-led service learning trips prepare students for careers in healthcare. The combination of rigorous academic coursework and the experience of travel promotes critical thinking while enhancing intellectual development and cultural competency.
Students will:
- Visit locations of significance around the reservation
- Engage with local artisans and cultural presenters
- Attend local events such as pow-wows
- Work on various construction projects including including building bunk beds, outhouses, entry steps, wheelchair ramps and trailer skirting.
- Identify historical and political factors that influenced the development of the Indian Health System
- Discuss “culture clashes” that occur when Western medicine is introduced into traditional communities
- Identify the top 5 health issues and social determinants of health on Pine Ridge Reservation
- Evaluate healthcare resources available to meet the healthcare needs of the community
Cultural appreciation, cross-national understanding, respect for socio-economic differences, and honoring client/patient and family variations and life references are values included in USCB’s mission statement and the goals of the university’s Nursing and Public Health programs
Lodging
All lodging is in dormitory-style bunk houses (male and female in separate houses) on the reservation with indoor plumbing, electricity, and bottled potable water available. Transportation will be via commercial van.
Academic Credit
This is a 3-credit elective course in SUMMER II 2025, cross-listed for NURS and PUBH. Academic work includes online assignments to familiarize students. During the fieldwork, students will keep daily journals. Post-trip work will consist of reflection and development of presentations.
Estimated Student Cost:
- Airfare: $600-700
- Tuition: $1293*
- Re-Member Fee: $768 (this will be mitigated through funds raised through students’ fund raising efforts)*
- Travel Insurance: $50-100
- Incidentals: $100
- Total cost: $3118 - 3268
* Undergrad tuition
For more information, contact Dr. Lynne Hutchison.
Past USCB Health Study Abroad Experiences
Nepal
2019 - USCB Nursing students participated in hands-on patient care, health education with children and observation and shadowing of locals professionals. They also pitched in to do some painting and had plenty of time to explore!
Ghana
2018 - The vibrant Gold Coast of Ghana was the setting for this Global Health study abroad program, which provided hands on experience with skills, assessments and health education. Most healthcare in Ghana is provided by the government and is largely administered by the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Services. Among sub-Saharan African countries, Ghana stands out for its high rate of health insurance coverage and robust health indicators.
