Through global trips organized by the Eisenhower Institute, students shape their career ambitions and discover how they can make a difference in the world.
This past January during J-Term, eight seniors in the Eisenhower Institute’s Undergraduate Fellows program traveled to the Dominican Republic for a weeklong trip through CIEE, a facilitator recommended by the Center of Global Education. Through immersive experiences from meeting with local fishermen in Montecristi to exploring a rural mountain town in Río Limpio, these students were able to connect their research about the impact of climate change on the labor industry in a different region of the world.
“This experience is one I will never forget, not only because of the incredible locations but also because of the students I had the privilege of working with,” said Brigid Goss, assistant director of program management at the Eisenhower Institute, who organized this trip alongside Management Prof. Patturaja Selvaraj, director of the Undergraduate Fellows program.
“The College often emphasizes the development of enduring skills throughout students’ time at Gettysburg, and I saw firsthand each of the Fellows actively demonstrating these skills in the Dominican Republic,” Goss continued. “In addition to their adaptability and teamwork, they consistently showcased intercultural fluency and effective communication throughout their interactions with our guest speakers and hosts.”
Undergraduate Fellow João Branco Chaves ’25, a theatre arts and business, organizations, and management major from Lisbon, Portugal, enjoyed connecting with local students, having engaging conversations, participating in activities like board games, and exploring the country.
“We had the opportunity to engage with the local community and the country's culture,” said Branco Chaves. “The trip’s structure—balancing academic discussions and cultural immersion—made it a unique learning experience.”
Branco Chaves also found the experience to be reminiscent of experiences he has had as an international student at the College pursuing his interests while looking to apply his knowledge in his future career.
“As an international student interested in labor rights and laws, business, and management, this experience demonstrated how policy and economic structures impact real communities,” he added.
The Eisenhower Institute has a mission to equip students with opportunities that will enhance their strengths in communication, professional development, and perseverance. The authenticity of being immersed in a new location helps emulate experiences present in a post-college career.
“Gettysburg College students receive a rich education in the classroom, and co-curricular programs like the Undergraduate Fellows allow them to apply their knowledge to real-world situations, enhancing their learning in practical ways,” Goss reflected.
The participating Eisenhower Institute’s Undergraduate Fellows on this trip to the Dominican Republic included Nathaniel Bowers ’25, João Branco Chaves ’25, Joseph Labrie ’25, Reid Norton ’25, Rachel Remauro ’25, Lucero Rosas ’25, Waverly Smith ’25, and Jeanne-Marie Thomas ’25.
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By Ainsley Green ’27
Photos courtesy of Brigid Goss
Posted: 05/12/25