Location
  • Dominican Republic
    • Santiago
Length
4 to 8 weeks
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Spring Break Summer
Housing
Host Family

Pricing

Starting Price
2450
Price Details
What's Included in an ISA Service-Learning Program:

• Comprehensive advising and support
• Visa support
• Bridging Cultures Program, the on-site cultural and academic orientation
• Housing
• Meals and laundry service
• Guaranteed placement with community based organization
• Full-time resident staff with a maximum 20:1 student to staff ratio
• On-site ISA office, computer and internet access (WiFi)
• Airport reception
• Cultural activities
• Medical insurance
• 24-hour emergency assistance
• On-site transportation stipend
• Project materials stipend
• Donation to host organization
• ISA Service-Learning Portfolio
• One year digital subscription to The New York Times
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Equipment SIM cards Transportation Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Airfare
Jun 07, 2022
Oct 03, 2013
6 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Founded in the late 15th century by Columbus’ expedition, Santiago is known as the “Heartland City” of the DR. The city serves as an epicenter for baseball, commerce, and culture. The surrounding area is full of mountains, beaches, and jungles, providing residents with endless opportunities to enjoy the nature and laid-back atmosphere.

Service fields include youth centers, nonprofit pharmacies, human rights organizations, and many others. Through service at a local organization and guided reflection activities, our goal is to help you gain a better understanding of the local language, culture, and community.

Each service-learning placement is unique, so please visit the ISA Service-Learning website to learn more about the specific placements and program options available in Santiago. We especially recommend Santiago for those interested in health clinics and youth development.

This program is currently not being promoted on Go Overseas by its provider. Check with ISA (International Studies Abroad) for the most up-to-date information regarding the status of this program.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

Our team at ISA is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and ISA staff. We have developed our ISA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of ISA destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Our team at ISA is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and ISA staff. We have developed our ISA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of ISA destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.

Neurodivergent Support

ISA is committed to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of neurodivergence. Our Health & Safety team is available to answer questions about insurance and medication, as well as provide students with materials on overseas access to support.

Accessibility Support

ISA is committed to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of accessibility. With our wide portfolio of program types and locations we’re confident there is a suitable and accessible program for each student. Accommodations abroad can be complex and take time, so those with accessibility needs should inform ISA of any accommodations requests as early as possible in the advising process. Please contact accessibilityteam@studiesabroad.com with questions or for more information.

Impact

Sustainability

We have partnered with Fill it Forward to engage team members and program participants in waste reduction practices. The goal is to encourage the elimination of single-use waste. Every QR code scan shows the impact of reusable bottles and unlocks a donation to environmental impact groups.

Ethical Impact

WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

Program Highlights

  • Receive personalized advising on service opportunities and program options that are the best fit for you. You will receive confirmation of the community-based organization you have been matched with before departure.
  • Begin your transition to daily life in your new country and culture on the Bridging Cultures Program, our in-country orientation.
  • Benefit from the ISA office, located near the PUCMM campus in the neighborhood of La Loteria. Enjoy the company of your fellow service-learning participants and ISA students, practicing Spanish with our staff, Wi-Fi internet, and a short walk to the ocean
  • Have the opportunity to earn academic credit.
  • Demonstrate the professional, cultural, and personal competencies you acquired while on the program through reflection-based assignments and activities that make up the ISA Service-Learning Portfolio.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 2 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Default avatar
Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Both sides of the story

This was an incredible experience. Working in a community center teaching English to children was difficult, and balancing teaching English and taking university classes was something that I had to figure out. Overall, I think I got much more out of the experience in the DR than other ISA students in my program who didn't participate in the ELAP portion. I was able to see both sides of life in the Dominican Republic; the high-end academic and also how people live in underprivileged neighborhoods. I went for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It took me about 40 minutes to arrive at the community center by concho (the Dominican mode of transportation), and I taught one hour of class, gave the kids a 15-minute break, and taught the remaining 45 minutes. I then went back to the city and went to my university classes.

What would you improve about this program?
I would not have so many online essays, and more in-person meetings.
41 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jessica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

my time in the D.R

My time in the Dominican Republic was unforgettable. I had much fun exploring it, and the support offered to me was unexplainable! I was shown how to get around and survive incase I experienced hard times. I tell everyone about it when ever I have a chance, they have to either do the stand alone elap programs or the full semester. ELAP made living abroad away from family way okay! They were at a walking distance from my location of residency and their office hours were very convinient! One thing I would have like to see more of are "estudiantes de apoyo", I felt like their direct conversation stimulated alot of the Spanish of other students. With them around it also made it easier to ask questions so the students didn't have to seem as if they were always talking to an adult. I am always available for a testimony about my great experience in the Dominican Republic. I am fluent in both english and spanish. If you need more of my time, please consider asking someone from elap for my information.

What would you improve about this program?
described in the statement above :)
42 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers