Dominican Republic

Visit the Dominican Republic & Haiti

Explore Hispaniola, home to the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

We are very excited to offer intensive short-term study abroad programs in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, based in the bustling Dominican capital city of Santo Domingo, the charming seaside town of Samana, and/or Northern Haiti.
 

Our programs are designed to give students the opportunity to learn about and experience the cultures of both sides of Hispaniola – that is, both the Dominican Republic and Haiti – showcasing the beauty and splendor as well as the strife that has characterized the history of the island and the relationship between its inhabitants. We will look at the colonial and imperial relationships that in many ways have shaped the histories and identities on the island, as well as the post-colonial relationship between the two countries on Hispaniola.

The Dominican Republic is home to the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas (Santo Domingo), and Haiti is home to La Navidad, the very first European colony established in the New World. The independent Haitian nation is the result of the most successful slave revolt in recorded history, and further notable for its anti-colonial and abolitionist implications – yet the independent Dominican side of the islands owe its independence not to the expulsion of European (Spanish) colonists, but to the expulsion of Haiti from the eastern part of the island. These fascinating complexities will be examined on the ground during our intensive program.

Participants will also have the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of those most in need, through volunteer work and/or donations from Diversity Global and the group to selected community partner organizations working on the ground, built in to the program cost.

We will be spending time in various parts of the island, possibly including Santo Domingo, Santiago, Samaná Province, San Pedro de Macoris, and Jarabacoa on the Dominican side, and Cap-Haitien, and Milot in Haiti – upon acceptance into the program, an itinerary will be furnished which will indicate the specific program sites for a particular program. We will be touching on a variety of subjects and themes, from culture and music to history, race, identity and colonialism.

Tropical Lifestyle

The Dominican Republic has been graced with a year-round sunny tropical climate and a captivating blend of cultures, which means that in addition to soaking up some rays, participants will also be exposed to fresh fruit and other culinary tidbits that cannot be found at home, or even on other Caribbean islands. Also, participants will have the opportunity to learn about and experience the various cultural and musical influences that characterize the island of Hispaniola (DR and Haiti).

Customization

We intentionally keep the size of our programs at manageable levels so that we can work individually with our students to provide the best experience, as much in line with each student’s goals and interests as possible. We also work with students in crafting their curriculum so that their respective schools will grant the maximum credit possible for their experiences both in and out of the classroom environment.

Land of Extremes

The Dominican Republic really does have it all – geographically, socially, and economically. On the island one can find vineyards, desert lowlands, sandy beaches with emerald waters, waterfalls, even massive mountain peaks! Among the people, you can find a multitude of ethnicities from every corner of the world – there’s even a Chinatown in Santo Domingo! There’s also plenty of opportunity to make an impact – the economic disparity in the Dominican Republic is astounding, from the political elites in the capital to the Haitian migrant workers working in deplorable conditions just miles away – our programs look to provide students with the opportunity to grow and learn while engaging with these issues.

Authenticity

Our programs were crafted to provide our students with the most authentic experience possible. Unlike some other programs, we encourage our students to explore the country, get to know the locals, and truly immerse themselves in the local culture. With this in mind, as well as the different comfort levels that our students may have, we provide many options to our students regarding the level of immersion they’re looking for.

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