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featured programs

Study Abroad with CIEE in Australia Study in Australia
wollongong—arts + sciences

Study Abroad with CIEE in the Caribbean Study in Bonaire
bonaire—tropical marine ecology

Study Abroad with CIEE in China Study in China
shanghai—advanced chinese studies

Study Abroad with CIEE in China Study in China
shanghai—business, language, + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Germany Study in Germany
berlin—language + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Italy Study in Italy
naples—liberal arts

Study Abroad with CIEE in Italy Study in Italy
naples—classical studies

Study Abroad with CIEE in Peru Study in Peru
lima—business + society

Study Abroad with CIEE in Peru Study in Peru
lima—language + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Sweden Study in Sweden
uppsala—arts + sciences

Study Abroad with CIEE in Taiwan Study in Taiwan
taipei—chinese language + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Vietnam Study in Vietnam
ho chi minh—language + culture

Is this program right for you?

This program is for advanced level Spanish students who are motivated to gain a deeper appreciation of the realities of Dominican society, and the Caribbean region as a whole, especially issues of underdevelopment, through both academic and internship activities.

Program Snapshot

  • Significantly improve your Spanish skills through language courses of varying levels
  • Work with local non-profit organizations on an optional development internship
  • Focus on a Caribbean Studies track
  • Visit sites of cultural importance, including the colonial zone, anthropological museums, ecological preserves, and overnight trips on CIEE excursions
  • Enhance your semester with a CIEE independent study option, non-credit volunteer opportunities, and peer advisors

Subject Areas

  • Anthropology
  • Caribbean Studies
  • History
  • Independent Study
  • Internship
  • Latin American Studies
  • Literature
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Religion
  • Sociology
  • Spanish Language
  • Theology

About Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, is located on the southern coast of the island. With a population of 2,000,000, it is considered to be the main economic and political center of the country. The city, often called the “First City of the New World,” is steeped in historical significance. There are numerous plazas and churches throughout the colonial district, which give a distinct flavor to the city. Santo Domingo is divided by a river, the Río Ozama, and is close to many beaches.

Where You'll Study

Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO-Dominican Republic)

FLACSO is linked to other research and teaching centers throughout Latin America and was founded by UNESCO, the UN agency dedicated to education, culture, and science. Its internationally known faculty is also associated
with one or more universities in Santo Domingo.

Instituto Filosófico Pedro Francisco Bonó (El Bonó)

El Bonó is a Jesuit institute of higher learning
specializing in philosophy and social sciences.

Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC)

INTEC is a private university founded by a group of professionals and businessmen in the 1980s to promote academic excellence in the areas of social sciences, humanities, medicine, business, and engineering.

Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD)

With 160,000 students, UASD is the largest university in the Dominican Republic—and it the oldest, having been founded in 1538. This public university offers CIEE students courses in the humanities and social sciences.

Thoughts From Abroad

El programa de CIEE en Santo Domingo está vinculado institucionalmente a la Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales. El programa está diseñado para estudiantes del área de ciencias sociales y humanidades con un alto nivel de español con el objetivo de profundizar los conocimientos de los y las estudiantes sobre el Caribe y la realidad dominicana, facilitar una experiencia intercultural y desarrollar las potencialidades en un marco de una sociedad en vías de desarrollo, con los retos que ello implica.

Los y las estudiantes pueden seleccionar asignaturas en las diferentes universidades e instituciones de educación superior, según sus necesidades y preferencias al lado de estudiantes dominicanos permitiendo una inmersión total en la cultura universitaria dominicana. Además de sus clases, los y las estudiantes viven con una familia dominicana y pueden realizar una pasantía en ONG’s que trabajan directamente en comunidades y barrios populares. La pasantía sirve como actividad de aprendizaje, apoyo a las comunidades y promueve una mayor integración de los y las estudiantes al medio dominicano.

— Maria Filomena Gonzalez, Resident Director

Staff Bios

María Filomena González, CIEE Resident Director since 1999, earned her B.A. from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo and her M.A. in Latin American Studies from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma-Mexico City. She has taught history courses at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo since 1979 and El Bonó since 1992, among other Dominican universities. She has written history textbooks for the primary and secondary school systems in the Dominican Republic as well as adapted the social science curriculum for the large Dominican community in the Sixth School District in New York City. Her academic focus is early 20th Century Dominican history, and she has conducted oral history research on the rural struggle against the first North American military occupation in the Dominican Republic.

Robin Young, Resident Coordinator and Internship Coordinator, is a native Californian and a past participant of the CIEE Study Center in Santo Domingo. She graduated with a B.A. in Sociology/ Anthropology and Hispanic Studies from Lewis and Clark College, with a minor in Ethnic Studies. She moved to the Dominican Republic in 2007 to research domestic violence under a Fulbright Fellowship Grant. She has volunteered in Santo Domingo, California, and Oregon, focusing on women and gender issues and oppression theories. She is currently working towards obtaining her MBA from Florida International University. Robin works closely with students in their internship placements, cultural adaptation, and assists the Resident Director.

Administrative support staff includes Héctor López, Student Coordinator; Carmen Mateo, Housing, Health, and Excursions Coordinator; Mayra Rodríguez, Spanish Language Coordinator; and Emily Diaz, Administrative Assistant.

Recommended Credit

semester: 15-17 semester/22.5-25.5 quarter hours
academic year: 30-32 semester/45-48quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 2.75
  • 5 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent
  • Spanish language course within the past year recommended

 

Program Dates

Academic Year 2009-107/27/2009 - 5/1/2010
Spring 20101/4/2010 - 5/1/2010
Fall 20107/26/2010 - 12/4/2010
Academic Year 2010-117/26/2010 - TBA

Important! Students should not purchase plane tickets based on these dates. Please check with your Enrollment Officer regarding travel plans.

Application Deadlines

Academic Year 2009-104/1/2009
Spring 201010/15/2009
Fall 20104/1/2010
Academic Year 2010-114/1/2010

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Academic Year 2009-1039 weeks
late July - early May
Spring 201019 weeks
early January - early May
Fall 201019 weeks
late July - early December
Academic Year 2010-1139 weeks
late July - 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:

  • Academic Year 2009-10 $20,000
    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, access to university libraries, admission fees to host university events, immersion activities including Dominican peer advisors, 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.

    Housing and Meals$4,600
    Medical Insurance$74
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$15,326
    Total$20,000

    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, access to university libraries, admission fees to host university events, immersion activities including Dominican peer advisors, 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$2,800
    Books and Supplies$200
    Local Transportation$800
    Visa Fee (approximate)$150
    Total$4,550


  • Spring 2010 $11,300
    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, access to university libraries, admission fees to host university events, immersion activities including Dominican peer advisors, 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)$9,126
    Housing and Meals $2,100
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$11,300

    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, access to university libraries, admission fees to host university events, immersion activities including Dominican peer advisors, 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 $1,400
    Books and Supplies $100
    Local Public Transportation$400
    Visa Fee (average cost)$200
    Total$2,700


  • Fall 2010 $11,300
    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, access to university libraries, admission fees to host university events, immersion activities including Dominican peer advisors, 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)$8,926
    Housing and Meals$2,300
    Total$11,300

    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, access to university libraries, admission fees to host university events, immersion activities including Dominican peer advisors, 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)$550
    Personal Expenses$1,400
    Books and Supplies$100
    Local Transportation$400
    Visa Fee (approximate)$200
    Total$2,650


  • Academic Year 2010-11 $21,500
    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, access to university libraries, admission fees to host university events, immersion activities including Dominican peer advisors, 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.

    Housing and Meals$4,600
    Medical Insurance$74
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$16,826
    Total$21,500

    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, access to university libraries, admission fees to host university events, immersion activities including Dominican peer advisors, 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)$550
    Personal Expenses$2,800
    Books and Supplies$200
    Local Transportation$800
    Visa Fee (approximate)$200
    Total$4,550


Scholarship Information

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