Location
  • Dominican Republic
    • Santo Domingo
Length
2 - 4 weeks
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Host Family
Language
Spanish

Pricing

Starting Price
2000
Jan 09, 2019
Mar 07, 2012
0 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Improve your Spanish as you explore the Dominican Republic. You'll become a part of your local community as you work with Dominicans on a community service project. You'll also have the chance to whitewater raft, hike to waterfalls, and experience delicious Dominican cuisine. As you adapt to life in the Dominican Republic, you'll experience a vibrant culture and festive atmosphere in your community. Having been immersed in the natural beauty and welcoming community of your Dominican village, you'll form memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from Global Routes.

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

We recognize that we are a long way from the diversity we aim for within our students, staff, and partners. We want and need more diversity to truly become the organization we would like to be. We recognize that this will not happen overnight or without dedicating time, attention, and resources. To that end, we have created a strategic plan to address our current shortfalls and to make significant improvements, which you can see on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

Neurodivergent Support

At Carpe Diem, each applicant reads through our extensive Essential Eligibility Criteria prior to enrollment. This criteria allows applicants to determine if the organization is an appropriate fit for their gap semester/year goals and their individual needs. During the interview and application process, we have honest and direct conversations with students and families about the support that our staff is able to provide throughout the program experience. We are committed to creating a culture of acceptance and support. To that end, our Overseas Educators and local leaders are selected for their skill in group facilitation and promoting inclusive group dynamics.

Accessibility Support

At Carpe Diem, each applicant reads through our extensive Essential Eligibility Criteria prior to enrollment. This criteria allows applicants to determine if the organization is an appropriate fit for their gap semester/year goals and their individual needs. We have honest and open conversations with applicants about our ability to support individual needs on each program, with the ultimate goal of a healthy and successful experience for all students. In the past, we have worked with students with severe allergies, diabetes, chronic injuries, and mental health diagnoses. We know each student's journey is individual and we work with families to support these individual needs where possible to help determine if the program is a good fit for their gap semester goals.

Impact

Sustainability

Global Routes - and our sister organization, Carpe Diem Education - is committed to maximizing the net positive impact while minimizing the carbon footprint of every program. In our office, on our programs, and through our carbon offset match, our programs are geared toward environmental education to empower future leaders to move their communities to take action. During our programs, students learn more about their impact as individuals and a travel community - then take a solution-oriented lens to tackling key issues. We also contribute to and amplify the voices of organizations and partners who focus on permaculture, natural building, and sustainable solutions.

Ethical Impact

Global Routes - and our sister organization, Carpe Diem Education - is designed to connect to our local communities and provide reciprocal exchange and engagement. Through engaging in experiential education, community engagement, and intercultural exchange, our students develop enhanced perspectives, deeper cultural understanding, and a profound sense of self-discovery and personal growth. We work with vetted local providers to build their businesses as they provide value to our students and programming. With our homestay families, we ensure we minimize our footprint by regularly rotating the communities we work with and evaluating our social impact alongside their community leaders.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 1 review
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  • Growth 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 reviews
Default avatar
Caitlin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime

One is able to go on many adventures in a lifetime, even if it's not to another country, but your first adventure will be the most impactful and you will change no matter what, for the better. You may think you've already been completely exposed to different cultures and customs, but this trip will give you a perspective that you will have for the rest of your life. This program makes it possible to immerse yourself in a way that makes you understand both your place in the country your visiting, and the country where you live. When you get back home, initially you feel out of place. This will go away, but you will never lose the perspective gained and you will find you have new thoughts, new ideas and new discoveries every day. I am still in contact with my host parents and all of the friends I made on the trip kith Dominican and American. The best times are the ones after you realize the community is your home too.

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