ISL helping to improve the quality of life around the world

Courtesy of Jessica Schulte

Jessica Schulte, a first-year graduate student earning a master’s in Public Health, went on the ILS trip to Belize. Above, Schulte is taking the blood pressure of community members who cannot always receive or afford medical care in their area.

In countries where people see a physician once a year, basic healthcare knowledge can be life-changing — and University of Toledo students are changing lives.

The International Service Learning Organization (ISL) can be found on college campuses around the world and it gives students the opportunity to travel around the world and help improve the quality of life of those with poor healthcare.

“Our main projects are traveling to other countries whose health care systems are not as fortunate and developed as the U.S. health care system,” said Brandon Stewart, a fourth-year majoring in healthcare administration.

According to their website, islonline.org, “These programs are not artificial or ‘practice’ programs — they are the real thing. We provide health care to tens of thousands in developing communities annually.”

Stewart currently serves as vice president of the University of Toledo chapter and went with the group to Belize this past May. He said 11 students, including himself, traveled to San Ignacio in the Cayo District of Belize.

“We paired up with local physicians in the country and set up free medical clinics in the area,” he said. “As students, we get to make a general prognosis of what we think might be wrong with a patient then consult a physician for an absolute diagnosis.”

Jessica Schulte, a first-year graduate student earning a master’s in public health, said the first step to setting up clinics is visiting members of the community in their homes.

“We went door-to-door and assessed if anyone was sick, living conditions, if anyone had offered a clinic to them before and if they would be interested in coming to the open clinic the next day.”

In some communities, the group visits schools as well, according to Anna Crisp, a second-year public health major and ISL secretary.

“Our group will hold a general healthcare presentation and talk to the kids about proper hygiene techniques and last year we even made up a song about brushing teeth,” Crisp said.

Schulte said in addition to serving the community, ISL gives students an opportunity to experience the culture of the countries they visit.

“While on our trip we went cave tubing, learned authentic dances, snorkeled and swam with the stingrays,” she said.

According to Schulte, before students are able to make the trip, extensive planning needs to occur as well.

“The trips are all roughly different and can be focused on different aspects of medicine. They are around seven to 14 days typically and do cost money. These trips are not cheap and work must be done to get sponsors and raise money,” Schulte said. “Also, since I am the fundraising chair I am here to help with setting up events and helping people raise money on their own.”

Crisp said she gets to organize a lot of the supplies and equipment for the trips.

“Our projects mostly consist of the trips we take, however, we do a good deal of fundraising as well,” Crisp said. “Last year we sold T-shirts and we also set up a table with hot chocolate, coffee and baked goods.”

Schulte said aside from fundraising for the trips, ISL also wishes to raise awareness and increase their presence on campus.

“We do attend other events on campus; this year we are looking to expand since we are still relatively new,” Schulte said. “We would like to put together an event to raise awareness about global health and how everyone can help.”

One of these events will take place off campus, according to Stewart.

“One of our goals this year is to reach out to local Toledo high schools and put on medical educational clinics for those who may be interested in the medical field,” Stewart said. “We will share with them how to take a general blood pressure and pulse, share what our organization does and advocate for The University of Toledo.”

According to their website, the International Service Learning Organization also works with students in the countries they visit to improve their quality of education.

“Anyone is welcome to join and they do not have to be pre-med or within the medical field,” Schulte said. “ISL is open to anyone who shares a passion to help spread healthcare with those in need.”

Students interested in being a part of ISL can contact the Chapter President, Hannah Kissel, or send an e-mail to [email protected] They can also attend an informational meeting on Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Student Union Room 2584 to learn about this year’s events.

Schulte said she hopes the members of ISL will acquire a “passion for philanthropy and helping others in our society and in other countries.”

“Members should gain insight into global healthcare and the needs around the world and how we all have the means to help,” she said.

According to Stewart, knowing that other places in the world do not have access to healthcare and actually experiencing that reality are two completely different things.

He and Crisp both said they have hopes for the members of ISL and their experiences.

“I hope that members of ISL will be humbled and inspired by the strength of the people they meet, the beauty of the country they travel and the importance of accessible healthcare,” Crisp said.