Study Abroad in Santiago de los Caballeros
College Study Abroad
Explore Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Santiago de los Caballeros, also called Santiago, is the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic beaming with small-town charm. Just steps away from places of historical, cultural, and ecological interest, Santiago is the commercial and cultural center of the fertile Cibao Central Valley region.
When you study abroad in Santiago de los Caballeros, you’ll experience all that the Dominican Republic has to offer, from its warm, Caribbean climate to its complex culture, history, and politics. In Santiago, students can enroll in Spanish language courses, go on excursions around the country, live with a host family, and so much more!
Study Tours & Cultural Excursions in Santiago de los Caballeros
Every CIEE semester program has frequent cultural activities and an overnight excursion uniquely designed to complement the program’s academics and enhance students’ cultural immersion. In Santiago de los Caballeros, past activities and overnight excursions have included:
- Weekend trip to the growing eco-paradise on Samaná Peninsula and Los Haitises National Park
- Visit to Santo Domingo and its Zona Colonial, including the first Cathedral of the Americas
- Day trips to explore several sites, including the Hermanas Mirabal Museum in Salcedo, the town of La Vega during Carnaval Dominicano season, the market town of Dajabón on the Haitian-Dominican border, and the Centro Leon Museum in Santiago
- Trips to the world-renowned 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua
If you’re a student looking to improve your Spanish skills, visit beautiful natural sites across the Dominican Republic, or learn more about the complex history of Santiago, CIEE’s tours and excursions allow you to do just that!
About the Center
Situated on the Dominican Republic's Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) campus, CIEE Santiago DR proudly shares space with one of the most prestigious universities on the island and one of the most beautiful campuses in the entire country. The Center sits at the ecological lung of the region, giving students access to a stunning garden-campus hybrid that promotes study and research.
Inside the Center, students will find classroom space, a student lounge, a study space, a student life and academic advising office, an outdoor space, and complimentary WiFi and printer access. Outside the Center, students are within walking distance to most homestays and just a 15-minute drive from downtown Santiago where they can access ATMs, banks, eateries, bookstores, cafés, and a small pharmacy.
Where Students Study
CIEE Santiago de Los Caballeros
Located on the PUCMM campus, just 15 minutes’ drive from downtown Santiago and within walking distance from most homestays.
Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM)
Founded in 1962, PUCMM is one of several colleges in the Dominican Republic dedicated to serving the social and economic development of all Dominicans. It has been ranked by the Inter-American Development Bank as the best academic institution in the Dominican Republic and enrolls about 8,000 students.
Internships & Volunteering
Depending on their program of study and availability, students may be able to participate in an internship or volunteer work. Students interested in interning in Santiago de los Caballeros may be able to work with a local business in a variety of areas, including environmental studies, marketing, sustainability, and more.
Students looking to volunteer in Santiago may be able to care for challenged infants and children, help young boys at a baseball academy, assist elementary school teachers, and more. In addition, students will have unique opportunities to hear from people at the center and forefront of the country’s issues to enhance their experience.
Study Abroad Programs in Santiago de los Caballeros
- Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
- Study Program
Spend your summer in the Dominican Republic learning about the complexities of healthcare in developing nations.
- Language Immersion
- Small City
- Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
- Study Program
Study in the DR this January and immerse yourself in the daily life of a vibrant developing Caribbean Island, where fascinating historical, commercial, and ecological treasures intersect.
- Small City
- Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
- Study Program
Take your Spanish language skills to the next level while immersing yourself in the rich culture of the Dominican Republic.
- Small City
- Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
- Study Program
Raise your already strong Spanish language skills
- Host Institution
- Small City
Currency
Dominican peso
Spoken Languages
Spanish
Available Transportation
Subway, taxis, bus
Famous Local
Luis Polonia – former professional baseball player in the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame
Climate
Tropical climate with a warm and humid year-round temperate averaging 78°F
Places to Explore
Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración – the highest hilltop monument in Santiago
Airport
Cibao International Airport (STI)
Social Norms
Avoid giving a gift to someone that is black or purple as they’re considered signs of mourning
What to Pack
Comfortable walking shoes and sandals, mosquito repellent, shorts, beach towel
Frequently Asked Questions
With a complex history, vibrant biodiversity, Spanish language studies, and more, Santiago de los Caballeros is a good place to study abroad for students looking for adventure. The second-largest city in the Dominican Republic, Santiago de los Caballeros offers students a tropical destination where they can advance their studies and learn about Dominican culture.
Santiago is regarded as one of the safest places in Latin America that is welcoming to everyone. As with any study abroad city, we recommend that students travel in groups when possible, keep their belongings secure, and stay aware of their surroundings.
Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, is located in the northwest region of the country in the heart of the Cibao Valley. Nearby attractions to Santiago include the town of Jarabacoa, Pico Duarte trail, Parque Nacional Valle Nuevo, and the Armando Bermúdez National Park.
Santiago, Dominican Republic, offers a variety of activities for students, such as visits to the Centro Cultural Eduardo León Jimenes art museum, Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración, Puerto Plata beach, Duarte Park, Jardín Botánico de Santiago Profesor Eugenio de Jesús Marcano Fondeur, and more.
In order to ensure our students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered while studying abroad, CIEE staff completes comprehensive diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) training. Staff provide students with advice, resources, and ongoing support both before and during their study abroad program in Santiago de los Caballeros.
For more detailed information on diversity in Santiago de los Caballeros, visit our Diversity in Santiago de los Caballeros page.
Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants
Apply in 1,2,3!
You may be wondering if there are any scholarships to study in Santiago de los Caballeros. CIEE offers scholarships and grants for study abroad programs in Santiago de los Caballeros to students with demonstrated financial need, proven academic merit, and for specific CIEE programs. Students can apply for scholarships through 3 simple steps:
- Search for and apply to your dream program
- Review all available funding opportunities
- Complete the Scholarship & Grants portion of your application
Study Abroad Scholarships
NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Based on students' Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enrolled institution. Complete the Scholarships & Grants portion of your program application to be considered for all awards to which you are eligible.
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Based on academic achievement. Complete the Scholarships & Grants portion of your program application, along with an essay, to be considered for all awards to which you are eligible.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS
Other scholarship awards are based on program or alumni status.
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Santiago de los Caballeros Study Abroad Blog
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