CIEE Service Learning Program in Santiago, Dominican Republic

  Dominican Republic

• Santiago: 
Santiago

Term: Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 17 weeks: mid-August-mid-December; Spring 17 weeks: early January-early May

Description: The CIEE Service-Learning program in Santiago, Dominican Republic integrates theory and practical learning in a community-based and cross-cultural context. A collaborative approach to academics and urban and rural community development provides students the analytical tools to engage in participatory service and gain understanding about the complexities and challenges of community work in a developing country like the Dominican Republic.

Academic Program
Since 1947, CIEE has engaged in fulfilling its mission to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. The service-learning program serves this mission by providing a framework for students to fulfill their educational and personal goals while bridging relationships in the communities in which their learning takes place. In this sense, service-learning takes theory to practice to meet the challenges of social problems and closes the circle on an experiential learning cycle, while providing benefits to all those who are involved with the program.

The American Association for Higher Education (AAHE) defines service-learning as: a method under which students learn and develop through thoughtfully organized service that: is conducted in and meets the needs of a community and is coordinated with an institution of higher education, and with the community; helps foster civic responsibility; is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the students enrolled; and includes structured time for students to reflect on the service experience.

This program is built upon the four core principles of service-learning, and each component of the program addresses one or more of the principles:

1) Engagement
2) Reflection
3) Reciprocity
4) Public Dissemination

Academic Culture
Like all universities in the Dominican Republic, PUCMM has limited resources compared to most U.S. colleges and universities, but it is a premier private Dominican university. The design and nature of the Service-Learning program requires methodology that is more interactive, field-based, and reflective in theory compared to normal course pedagogies. Students are required to draw upon learned and new knowledge and reflect on these experiences through the analytic scope of research and observation methods drawn upon from the core course.

The language coursework is framed on the foundations of Spanish grammar. However, focuses heavily on expanding everyday vocabulary and communication skills with regard to issues in community development and service work, with the ultimate goal of helping improve students' communication skills and understanding of the community in which they work.

The remaining courses, including Independent Research and Capstone project, draw on the expertise of the CIEE Resident Directory and faculty from the Department of Applied Linguistics at PUCMM. The service component is coordinated through various non-profit and non-governmental organizations in the Santiago area.

Highlights:

• Strong program that bridges theoretical, conceptual, and experiential learning
  
• Service placements, enabling students to work on a project with local communities
  
• Independent Research and Capstone Project to raise awareness of sustainability
  
• Co-curricular rural campo service project in organic and biodynamic farming
  
• Excursions to sites of cultural importance, including the Hermanas Mirabal Museum and free trade zone, and weekend trips to the Samaná Peninsula, the southwest and Santo Domingo, each of which fosters responsible tourism

Weekend excursions generally include Montecristi and Dajabón, an economic development zone on the Haitian-Dominican border in the northwest region, where every Friday, the border opens up to allow the exchange of trade and commerce; Santo Domingo and Haina where students visit a batey and sugar ingenio and see the capital; the Samaná Peninsula to observe the humpback whales that migrate there in the spring; and an ecological trip to the Southwest to visit national parks such as Lago Enriquillo, Bahia de las Aguilas, and el Hoyo de Pelentito in the fall. Each trip entails a visit to particular sites that collaborate in community development.

In addition, there are several one-day excursions to such sites of cultural and social interest as amao del Norete, the Hermanas Mirabal Museum, and an organic coffee cooperative in Salcedo, Esperanza, and la Vega during Carnaval season. Many field trips are integrated into academic classes. These may include visits to agricultural and industrial projects, free trade zones, clinics, schools, and various NGOs.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

The CIEE fees for 200910 include tuition, housing, all meals, optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, field trips, weekend and one-day excursions, a weeklong rural stay, host institution identity card, admission fees to host institution events, immersion activities (including language pairs), comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card, which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Experience Required: yes

• Overall GPA 2.75
• Overall GPA 2.75 in Spanish language
• 4 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent
• Previous volunteer and/or independent research recommended

  This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

  Typical Living Arrangements :

  Home-stays Independent living

  Participants Travel to Dominican Republic Independently

  Scholarships are Available. We have several scholarships that students can apply for. Contact CIEE for details.

  Application Process Involves:

  • Letters of Reference
  • Other
  • Transcript
  • Written Application

  CIEE's Mission Statement: Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever.

  Year Founded: 1947