Description

Small Town Life
Welcome to La Republica Dominicana, the place that gave us bachata, merengue, and much of our major league baseball lineup. Make rural Dominican Republic your home for a week, experience everyday life, and take in the sights. Live in a small town in the mountains of rural Dominican Republic and contribute to service projects in the local community. Visit markets, check out traditional music & dance shows, and spend a night out on the town with your staff and peers. Take in the Dominican vibe and enjoy the friendly nature of the locals. Join a pickup game of baseball with local kids, or a game of dominoes with the old timers as you get to know the Dominican way of life.

Catch the Beat
Learn about the history of the typical dance and music of the Dominican Republic. Experience the fusion of African, Spanish, and indigenous rhythms that have come together to create these unique styles. Learn how to play local instruments like the guira, claves, and the melodeon or take dancing lessons from local professionals! This program is designed for students of all skill levels; you can come and pick up new moves or perfect your skills! The musical and dance parts of this program are not mandatory, and your level of participation is up to you. Watch traditional dance shows, listen to local musicians, and explore the rich culture of the Dominican Republic!

Soak in the Caribbean
Relax as you enjoy a weekend on the white sand of one of the Dominican Republic's beautiful beaches. Snorkel in the clear waters, go body surfing, or simply bask in the Caribbean sun. Watch the chefs catch your dinner from the sea and cook it right before your eyes. Experience natural beauty that caught the eye of European settlers, and the Taino's before that.

Helping hands
When not tearing up the dance floor, or learning how to play the guira, take part in service projects with local schools or NGOs. The Dominican Republic has a very low standard of public education, and we will work with local public schools to realize small service projects. Work alongside locals on projects that will benefit their communities. Learn about the social issues that have led to extreme poverty in rural communities, and immense wealth in the major cities. Contribute to projects that will help increase the standards of living in these small communities.

Highlights

LISTEN, PRACTICE and DANCE to the beats of Merengue, Bachata and Salsa.

RELAX on the white sands or snorkel in the turquoise waters of the Dominican coast.

TOUR through the colonial districts of Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and meander through cobblestone streets that date back to the days of Columbus

PARTICIPATE in service projects with local schools, and contribute to much needed improvements.

IMMERSE yourself in Dominican Culture, and experience the laid back nature of this Caribbean paradise.

Travel Types

• Overland Tours
• Dancing
• Rafting
• Hiking
• Student Tours
• Horseback Riding
• Tours
• Overland Tours
• Volunteering
• Rafting
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Volunteering

Qualifications

Students must be 14-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Adventure Travel
• Cultural Exploration
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

995 USD + International airfare

Cost Includes:

• In-country staff support
• Excursions
• Travel while in host country
• Food
• Housing
• Written materials abroad
• In-country orientation/Training
• Written materials pre-departure
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living

Scholarships are Available

Rustic Pathways is providing over 100 scholarships for the 2012 season based on a mix of both need and merit. Application deadline is every year in early Spring. Please contact us for more details on applying for a scholarship and other financial aid options.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983