Honors Project for PSY-B 394

Description: For my Honors contract in PSY B394: Drugs and Behavior, I will document and share my enriching experience during the upcoming spring break trip to the Dominican Republic. Throughout my stay, I plan to record the diverse array of activities undertaken each day, seeking the necessary permissions from instructors and tour guides to ensure a comprehensive portrayal. The focal point of my project lies in transforming these recorded snippets into a captivating 10-15 minute video, a creative endeavor that sets my presentation apart. Unlike traditional presentations, I aim to virtually immerse my classmates in the Dominican Republic, allowing them to vicariously experience the trip. Recognizing the significance of such presentations for students partaking in the spring break trip, I am driven by the desire to offer a distinctive perspective that goes beyond verbal descriptions. Considering my limited international travel experience, this project becomes a personal milestone, an opportunity to create a lasting memory of my journey beyond U.S. borders. Armed with editing software on my laptop, I intend to craft a visually engaging narrative that encapsulates the essence of our activities and the unique cultural milieu of the Dominican Republic. Moreover, I envision the video serving a dual purpose by becoming a promotional tool for future trips. By showcasing the immersive and transformative nature of the experience, I hope to inspire and encourage more students to apply, fostering a sense of anticipation and curiosity. In essence, this project is not just about recording a trip but creating a meaningful and shareable testament to the cultural and educational richness that awaits those who embark on similar adventures.

Timeline:
January 25 - Pre-trip Class #1 – Orientation
January 26 - Honors contract due
February 1 - Pre-trip Class #2 – Community Ethics and Human Security
February 8 - Pre-trip Class #3 – The 7 Elements of Human Security
February 15 - Pre-trip Class #4 – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment in the Dominican Republic
February 22 - Pre-trip Class #5 – 7 Elements Webinar
February 29 - Pre-trip Class #6 - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment in the US
March 7 - Pre-trip Class #7 - Problem Solving, Reflection, and Global Engagement
March 9 - Travel to the DR
March 10 - Visit mental health treatment facilities in San Francisco de Macoris
March 11 - Water fun at Laguna el Dudu and Playa Preciosa
March 12 - Medical brigade at La Grua
March 13 - Hogares Crea addiction rehab facility in Peurto Plata
March 14 - Service project (bottle house)
March 15 - Visit Playa Sosua
March 16 - Return to the US
March 22 - Start editing footage
April 2 or 4th - Present video to the class

Skills:
- International Learning Service: This experience will take place in the Dominican Republic.
- Communication: This experience will help me develop my skills as a communicator because I will be communicating my experience in the DR in a way they makes the audience feel like they were also there.
- Community Contributor: This experience will allow me to develop my skills as a community contributor by allowing me to share what we learned about the drug culture in the DR with the rest of my community.