Santiago
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Human Rights
You may be able to combine any of the Service-Learning Experiences below with an ISA Academic Program.
Center for Labor Rights
Spanish (Advanced)
Participants at this center may welcome visitors to the office, assist with legal research, help calculate client benefits, enter case details in the center's database, and observe and learn from lawyers' cases. Participants have the opportunity to aid in a variety of administrative tasks to ensure that the Center for Labor Rights continues to provide services and support for human rights initiatives, labor rights, technical training, and intercultural relations between Dominicans and Haitians.
About the Location
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. Its capital, Santo Domingo is a UNESCO world heritage site, as well as the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. Dominican Republic's diverse geography includes tropical rain forests, coral reefs, mangrove swamps, whitewater rivers, waterfalls, impressive mountain ranges, deserts, saltwater lakes and miles of white sand beaches. Both the highest and lowest points in the Caribbean are located in the country, with Pico Duarte at 10,319 feet, and the saltwater Lake Enriquillo at 139 feet below sea level.
Participants will be enchanted with the varied architecture, colonial museums, vast natural areas and varied ecosystems. Whether visiting the Samaná Bay humpback whale breeding ground, exploring ruins over 500 years old, or watching the national sport of baseball, you will have numerous opportunities to experience Dominican culture while abroad.
Santiago
Known as the “Heart City" of this sunny Caribbean country, Santiago is the cultural and commercial center of the fertile Cibao Valley region. Located in the northern part of the Dominican Republic and surrounded by mountains, Santiago is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast, but offers a vibrant host of activities for city lovers as well. Participants interested in a service-learning program in Santiago can give back to the community by contributing to local education, family and youth development, health, or human rights. Whether it’s using their language skills to teach English or working with medical professionals to provide basic health services to the community, there are plenty of ways for ISA service-learning participants to make a real and lasting difference in the Dominican Republic. During their time abroad, service-learning participants will also have the chance to experience the vibrant Dominican culture and explore this small, but scenic island in the Caribbean.
What's Included
- Comprehensive advising and support
- Pre-departure orientation materials
- Visa support
- The Professional Development Toolbox
- Guaranteed placement with local host organization
- Airport reception at Santiago Cibao International Airport (STI)
- On-site orientation through the Bridging Cultures Orientation
- Full-time resident staff with a maximum 20:1 student to staff ratio
- On-site ISA office, computer and WiFi internet access
- Housing
- Meals and laundry service (varies according to housing option chosen)
- Placement supervision
- Academic supervision
- Academic credit options
- Cultural activities
- Insurance
- 24-hour emergency assistance
- 24-hour on-site support
- Optional excursions (for additional fee)
- Project materials stipend
- Donation to host organization
- ISA Service-Learning Portfolio
Academic Credit
Participants looking to earn academic credit for their ISA Service-Learning experience can explore the following options.
Credit From Your Home Institution
Participants may work with their home university to receive academic credit for their program. Each academic institution has a unique policy for granting internship, service-learning and experiential learning credit, thus students should inquire about receiving academic credit with their home university advisors, professors, and/or academic department heads. Many ISA Service-Learning participants have successfully received “Independent Study,” “Internship,” “Directed Studies,” or “Special Topics” credit for their program by presenting their Portfolio.
Transfer Credit from University of South Florida
ISA Service-Learning has partnered with University of South Florida (USF) to offer a U.S. transcript for all ISA Service-Learning programs. Credit awarded will be based on the successful completion of the ISA Service-Learning Portfolio. A USF transcript will be sent to the student's home institution 2-3 months after the program end date.
Credit and transcript fees:
- 4-week program: 3 credits, $275
- 6-week program: 4 credits, $375
- 8-week program: 5 credits, $375
- Study + Service-Learning program: 3 credits, $275
ISA Service-Learning strongly recommends that students receive confirmation from their home institution that credit transfer will be accepted.
Prices & Dates
Housing Details
ISA Housing in the Dominican Republic provides the opportunity for participants to experience aspects of the local lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor. The experience of living in another culture will be both educational and rewarding so long as you stay open-minded and reasonable at all times. There are differences in culture and lifestyle between life in the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Remember: the key to a positive experience is flexibility. With this in mind, you can become a true Dominican!
Homestay
Each homestay has been carefully selected by our resident staff in order to accommodate participants' specific needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. The majority of the host families do not speak English; however, some do. You will typically have your own individual bedroom. Some meals and laundry service are also included in the homestay option.
Independent Housing
You may opt to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price. By choosing to opt out of ISA housing, you are solely responsible for researching and reserving housing, and paying all fees, deposits, and rent directly to the housing facility that you choose.
Visa Info
Participants must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months AFTER their expected departure date from the Dominican Republic.
U.S. Citizens
ISA participants will enter the Dominican Republic as tourists and will need to purchase a tourist card for approximately US$10 upon arrival at the airport in the Dominican Republic.
Non-U.S. Citizens
Please note that non-U.S. citizens should contact their Consulate to verify specific entry requirements. As these requirements vary based on citizenship, non-U.S. citizens may not be permitted to travel to the Dominican Republic without a visa or outside of their visa dates. Also, visa fees for non-U.S. citizens may differ so please be sure to check specific Consulate's website for the most up to date information.
Note: Embassy and Consulate contact information is subject to change without notice. Please refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate to verify information.