I recently had the opportunity to provide free dental care to underserved patients in the Bahamas, one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to. Nine classmates and I were selected to go on this incredible journey together as a team. It began with one flight connecting us in Atlanta and the next directly to our destination, Nassau, Bahamas. I have never been a massive fan of flying, but traveling as a group made it bearable. After settling into our rooms, we attended an opening dinner to meet the other volunteers with Great Shape INC. The dinner was a great way to get to know everyone before our busy week of treating patients.

The following two days, we visited the community to see what the Bahamas offered. The people of the Bahamas are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Everyone was so welcoming and eager to share their country’s culture with us. The Bahamian culture is more laid back than what I am used to in America, which was refreshing to experience. Our first workday began on Monday, and each student would rotate to different sites throughout the week. Each rotation would consist of an elementary school, the resort staff clinic, or their local prison. Depending on your assigned site, you may need to take the bus. Every patient I treated would express gratitude to me for providing these services. However, I would remind them that I was honored to have been able to treat them.

Throughout this trip, I was reminded why I went into dental hygiene in the first place, which was to help others. Without SPC allowing me to go on this trip, I would never have gained the experience nor the true feeling of why I began this journey in the first place. I was also awarded a scholarship through SPC, allowing me to go on this trip and experience the Bahamas. The scholarship money helped me focus on my goals to help change lives for the better. Little did I know the journey would change my life the most. I cannot express enough my gratitude to SPC for giving me the experience of a lifetime.
– Nicolette, SPC Bahamas Dental Study Abroad Program, January 2025