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perth - sustainability + the environment

Is this program right for you?

The CIEE Service-Learning program in Santiago 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.

Program Snapshot

  • 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

Subject Areas

  • Development & Planning
  • Independent Study
  • Research Methods
  • Service-Learning
  • Sociology
  • Spanish Language

About Santiago

Santiago de los Caballeros, the second largest city in the Dominican Republic, is surrounded by mountains in the lush valley of the Cibao region. Places of historical, cultural, and ecological interest are nearby, and it is just a little over an hour’s drive to the Atlantic Coast. Known as La Ciudad Corazón (City of the Heart), Santiago is the commercial and cultural center of the fertile Cibao Valley region, housing over 100 industrial free trade zone factories, the León Jimenez cultural center, and the commercial street of Calle del Sol. Although it is a growing city with a population exceeding 800,000, Santiago retains many features of a small town.

Where You'll Study

Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (Service-Learning)

On the CIEE Service-Learning program students take the core course and capstone project at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM). For the service part of the program, students work within Acción Callejera, Centro de Atención Primaria Juan XXIII, Emprende, Fundación Cuidado Infantil Dominicano (FCID), Fundación SSM, and Oné Respe.

Thoughts From Abroad

I first came to the Dominican Republic a decade ago as a CIEE student with general aspirations to learn and adapt to a new culture, become proficient in a target language, and learn how I could be part of social change. My experience as a student not only prompted me to reflect on my attitude and perspectives on a variety of issues, but it also changed and influenced my academic, professional, and life goals. For the past eight years, I have been involved in service work, project development, and social activism in the Dominican Republic. These field-based opportunities have allowed me to understand firsthand the many challenges in international development, as well as successes.

In this program, students are exposed to different Dominican realities in both the urban and rural setting. It is my hope that through coursework, service, and full immersion into Dominican life and culture, students will learn to be responsible citizens, effective leaders with the ability to address and understand the social issues in their community, and problem solvers who find viable ways to solve important issues within their communities.

— Elaine Acacio, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Elaine Acacio, Resident Director, has been with CIEE since 2001 and is a former student of the CIEE Study Center at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in Santiago. She graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in English and earned an M.B.A. in International Business from the University of Phoenix. Her ongoing academic interests include target language acquisition, international education, and community development. Elaine has consulted for various organizations in the Dominican Republic in the areas of education, small business development, and human services.

Marcos Polo, Resident Coordinator, is a graduate of PUCMM and has worked in student services for over six years. He has coordinated and co-led various co-curricular and service projects in rural areas with Peace Corps volunteers and other community organizations. Marcos brings a depth of experience on issues of adaptation, culture shock, and language acquisition. He also assists the Resident Director on student affairs and planning of co-curricular activities throughout the semester.

Dorka Tejada, Program Assistant, earned her technical degree in agronomy in Loyola, Dajabón, Dominican Republic and is currently studying hotel administration and tourism at the Universidad Tecnica de Santiago. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Dorka has worked in administration for three years.

Recommended Credit

semester: 16-18semester/24-27quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • 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

Program Dates

Fall 20098/18/2009 - 12/13/2009
Spring 20101/3/2010 - 5/1/2010

Application Deadlines

Fall 20094/1/2009
Spring 201010/15/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200917 weeks
mid-August - mid-December
Spring 201017 weeks
early January - early May

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $12,750
    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.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Medical Insurance$74
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$10,526
    Housing and Meals$2,150
    Total$12,750

    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.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$600
    Personal Expenses$1,300
    Books and Supplies$100
    Local Transportation$500
    Visa Fee$50
    Total$2,550


  • Spring 2010 $12,900
    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.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$10,876
    Housing and Meals$1,950
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$12,900

    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.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$600
    Personal Expenses$1,300
    Books and Supplies$100
    Local Transportation$400
    Visa Fee (average cost)$200
    Total$2,600


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.