Description

The CIEE Service-Learning program in Santiago, Dominican Republic is designed for students with four or more semesters of college-level Spanish and demonstrated experience in volunteerism or community service. Participants engage in active service while reflecting upon the complexities and challenges facing Santiago's Cibao region through an approach that integrates academics and urban and rural community-based service. The program is ideal for students interested in grassroots and community-based learning, and those who are thinking about Peace Corps or other service- and community-based opportunities after graduation. The program is also ideal for those wanting to acquire skills and experience conducting fieldwork-based research, and those seeking to substantively improve their Spanish language ability.

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.

The CIEE Service-Learning program is specifically designed 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
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, but focuses heavily on expanding everyday vocabulary and communication skills with regard to issues in community development and service work, enabling students to better communicate and understand the community in which they work.

The courses in the service learning track and Independent Research and Capstone Project draw on the expertise of the CIEE Resident Director and professors from the Department of Applied Linguistics at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM). The service component is coordinated through various non-profit and non-governmental organizations in the Santiago area.

Highlights

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 see the capital; the Samana 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 development projects as well as employ practices of sustainable tourism by supporting locally owned establishments.

In addition, there are several one-day excursions to sites of cultural and social interest such as Jamao del Norte, 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)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing.

Program Fees Include:

The CIEE fee includes tuition, housing, all meals, optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, 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 3.0 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

Participants Travel

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