Creating opportunities for successful international student service-learning experiences.

Healthcare and educational expeditions to developing countries are a life-altering experience for both faculty and students. The benefits gained personally and professionally from foreign travel are invaluable. Providing healthcare to people in developing countries gives a new dimension to holistic care. Proper trip preparation with consideration of safety, legal liabilities, and educational goals is a necessity to ensure positive outcomes for patients, students, faculty, and the university or college. This article extracts lessons learned from an actual trip and dissects them from a safety, legal, and educational standpoint. The information presented is a "must read" for any faculty member considering embarking on a healthcare expedition with students to a developing country.