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Location
  • Dominican Republic
Length
1 to 2 weeks
Project Types
Service Learning Youth Conservation Environmental Conservation Historic Preservation Reforestation Education Health Education Human Rights Professional Development Tourism +1

Program Details

Age Min.
14
Age Max
60
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter
Housing
Lodge
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Solo

Pricing

Starting Price
2120
Price Details
Program tuition includes all food, lodging, in-country transportation, project costs & activity costs. Flight and cost of transportation from home country is not included in program cost. Travel medical insurance is included in program tuition.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Equipment Meals Transportation Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers SIM cards Visa Wifi
Mar 25, 2020
Jul 12, 2019
Wish List
5 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

7 Elements has been in the Dominican Republic for over 10 years. In partnership with Universities, Organizations and High Schools, 7e facilitates short-term immersive programs that focus on education, sustainability, Global Health, and Human Security Threats around the world. On your trip, you will stay in 7e's rustic Indalo Lodge on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic in a community called Las Canas.
Each day, students will participate in a variety of culturally immersive activities that include locally led projects and initiatives and visits. Projects in the Dominican Republic consist of Bottle House building, Bottle Bathroom and Latrines, Medical Brigades with Local Doctors, Water Tank Construction and other Human Security Focuses initiatives. Every Program is accompanied by an educational curriculum that focuses on each program's thematic area, such as, Global Health, Human Security, Environment, Local Economy and more!

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Video and Photos

Hike to Brison
Working on project with community partner, Cano Dulce
Hike and excursion during Dominican Republic Program
Relax on adventure and excursion days!
Students constructing the inside of the Bottle House in Caño Dulce!
Cement Mixing for Bottle Bathroom!
Students making a cement mixture to add to the community project in Caño Dulce!

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Program Highlights

  • Learn about the United Nation's Human Security Model and explore global threats to Human Security
  • Participate in projects related to local infrastructure, health and economy!
  • Learn about the Island of Hispaniola and the history between Dominican & Haitian Culture!
  • Snorkel on the beautiful North Coast of the Dominican Republic in Sosua!
  • Participate in Community Mapping & recreational activities with local communities to understand the culture of the Dom. Republic!

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Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 2 reviews
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  • Impact 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Default avatar
Carlos
32
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible organization; incredible people

Jul 12, 2019

I have worked with several humanitarian organizations and none have been like 7 Elements. Instead of feeding the "White Savior" narrative, they introduce themselves into the communities, and work with them to fix their problems in the communities in a sustainable way rather than putting a band-aid to them. They are looking to get work done and can be demanding for some, but it's an experience like no other (including their awesome excursions!).
Their team (Cameron, Sara, Kate, Wilmer, etc) were fantastic. They were very attentive and flexible to our needs or any changes in our time there. The food was incredible and they made sure we were always hydrated! (key to surviving the Caribbean heat)
This was my first trip with them and see myself working with them in the future.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Soursop!! Delicious fruit! A local worker gifted me one and got it from a tree in his yard. You can't find it everywhere so try it if you get a chance!
73 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Kate
22
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

7e is the best!

Jul 12, 2019

7 Elements offers students a new perspective on how to have a sustainable impact on the world and how to be a global citizen. They focus on education as well as service, which I believe sets them apart from many other organizations. The things that students learn on the trips are meaningful and inspiring. The trips are also a good mix of fun and work. Some of the work days can be physically demanding, but 7e does a good job of balancing this out with fun excursions like snorkeling and swimming at the beach. In addition, 7e's staff is extremely supportive and makes sure that each student is happy and comfortable. I have traveled with 7 Elements two times and each trip I have come home with a stronger passion for global development and an increasing need to share what they have taught me with others.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Bring lots of bug spray! It can get very buggy at night.
76 people found this review helpful.
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Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Marie Macdonald

Program
Human Security in the Dominican Republic
Job Title
Program Operations Manager
Marie handles the logistics, budgeting, itineraries, excursions, cultural activities, and community partnership for 7 Elements. She also leads groups of high school and university-age students through service-learning programs abroad in Belize, Peru, and the DR throughout the year.

What is your favorite travel memory?

One of my favorite memories from working in the Dominican Republic was over this past summer, taking my students to our local cook's house for a party.

We thought we were the fun ones dancing and laughing when all of a sudden the daughter and son of the family showed us all up with their impressive dance moves! If you think your hips don't lie...wait until you see a Dominican dance! So fun.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Most definitely. I have taken on a lot more responsibilities than I would have imagined like managing local staff, handling all transportation and lodging details, working with budgets, speaking with universities, making important program decisions, meeting new partnerships in the country, and so much more.

I am learning how hard this field can be to work in yet how incredibly rewarding it is at the same time. Extremely grateful for my position.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I received a picture from a group of my students that went out to eat for dinner at a local Korean BBQ place. Even though this may seem like a simple story, there was so much more to that photo. This group of students did not know each other at all before coming to their program abroad. They bonded, worked hard together, made friends with the locals, and had an amazing group dynamic throughout their experience.

The photo of them sharing a meal together, weeks AFTER their return to the US, made me realize how impactful these programs can be and create lasting friendships with people you would have never met before.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I have always wanted to go to Haiti ever since serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in their neighboring country, the Dominican Republic.

My organization offers service-learning programs to Haiti for university students focusing on health and environment; however, due to the current political climate in Haiti, we have not been able to operate there for a couple of years now. It is on my bucket list to visit Haiti and see with my own eyes the projects that 7 Elements have done there. Hopefully soon!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I love that my organization hires and works with a diverse group of people, both international and local. We learn, grow, and share with indigenous, native people in Belize, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. I am so proud that we have close ties with so many amazing, unique, genuine humans around the world that make our programs ethical, meaningful, and impactful.

Our relationships with these individuals are cherished by spending quality time with them whether or not we have programs running.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Communication across the board is always key - making sure your team is on the same page and everyone is caught up with each other, making decisions together and supporting each other on those decisions. I also think that believing in the mission of the organization is extremely important; how can you be successful and put your heart into your work if you do not follow the mission? I feel lucky to be with a company that has a strong mission tied to empowering locals to be sustainable on their own after we work with them.

Location

Location:
Dominican Republic
Currency:
Dominican Peso
Weather:
Jan-Mar
86 F / 48 F
Apr-Jun
90 F / 55 F
Jul-Sep
91 F / 55 F
Oct-Dec
90 F / 52 F
Airports:
Punta Cana International
( PUJ )
Las Américas International
( SDQ )
Cibao International
( STI )

The Dominican Republic shares the island Hispaniola with Haiti (the DR is to the right, Haiti to the left), and is a hot spot for beaching, staying at resorts, and living a Caribbean lifestyle. Close to Miami, with a diverse population and Creole cuisine, this island is a popular tourist destination filled with all sorts of adventures.

About 7 Elements

7 Elements is an Ethical Service Learning Organization with programs Dominican Republic, Belize and Peru. We provide experiential learning through hands on sustainable development projects and curriculum designed for each program that focus on international development, service learning, and human security issues around the world. We partner with...

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