VCU Education Abroad Faculty-led Summer Program in the Dominican Republic

  Dominican Republic

• Santiago: 
Santiago

Term: Summer 
Dates: May 17 - May 28

Description: The Office of International Education and the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to participate in an international service learning course in the developing nation of the Dominican Republic. This course examines social work practice and policy, and the social welfare system of the Dominican Republic, including comparative issues in society, culture and history, social work education, and selected social programs. Students engage in a service learning project that integrates course content with service work in a rural community.

Course and credit options: 3 undergraduate or graduate VCU credits
SLWK 391 or SLWK 770 International Social Work Study Abroad

Course description: Through this hands-on learning experience, students will examine the impact of Dominican history, culture, economy and politics on the development of social problems in the Dominican Republic. The course will include the study of specific social problems and corresponding programs and institutions that address these problems, with emphasis on the comparison of social service delivery methods in a developing country versus those of the U.S. A service learning project enhances understanding and application of course content.

Highlights: Agency visits will include a public school, an orphanage, a public hospital, an adolescent clinic and batey communities. Participants will attend lectures presented by experts in various fields as well as faculty from the Public University. Participants also will be involved in an array of cultural and community activities, such as merengue lessons and market visits as well as weekend excursions to the beach or mountains. Students participate in a service project that addresses the educational needs of children in a rural community.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 2,435

*Round-trip airfare from either Washington, DC or Richmond
*Accommodations
*Most meals
*Study visits and tours
*Ground transportation
*On-site Program Director support
*Application fee and deposit
*Pre-departure orientation
*VCU administrative fees
*International Student Identification Card

The following are NOT included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
*VCU tuition and fees
*Some meals
*Passport application fee
*Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $300)
*Anything not specifically mentioned above

Please budget for these additional expenses.

Experience Required: yes

Students must have a 2.0 GPA to apply, and are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home