CIEE Gap Year Program in Santiago, Dominican Republic

  Dominican Republic

• Santiago: 
Santiago

Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Dates: Fall 2007: End of August to mid-December; Spring 2008: Early January to mid-April; Academic Year: End of August to mid-April

Description: CIEE offers US high school graduates a unique way to explore the world. A Gap Year Abroad with CIEE offers college-bound graduates an opportunity to acquire a broader global perspective, foster independence and gain self-knowledge. Students seeking to stretch intellectually, explore new vistas, develop leadership and become responsible global citizens are ideal candidates for a CIEE Gap Year.

Spending a year or a semester living with a family abroad, studying and improving fluency in a modern language and volunteering in the community or working as an English teacher will allow students to immerse themselves in every aspect of the host culture and give their academic goals perspective and purpose. Day and weekend trips and other cultural excursions will provide an important dimension to understanding historical and social aspects of the country.

A Gap Year Abroad opens doors to the student's future, bridging the high school world to the road that lies ahead. The benefits of a Gap Year will enable students to enhance their global education and uniquely prepare them for their college experience.

Highlights: Host families provide the student with a variety of cultural excursions and activities, visiting museums and art galleries, attending theater performances or participating in a carnaval activity (February only). Other outings may include going to a beach, visiting relatives in el campo (the countryside), exploring nearby towns, going to see the waterfalls in Jarabacoa and the humpback whales in Samana.

Some excursions are planned to enhance the Dominican history taught. Students travel to explore the ruins and museum of La Isabela on the north coast and also to the original site of the city of Santiago. A three day trip to Santo Domingo, touring historic and tourist sites is a highlight.

Host Families, Language Classes and Community Service

Students live in Dominican private homes and are provided three meals a day, seven days per week. Language classes take place Monday through Thursday, 2 ½ hours per day. Classes integrate grammar, vocabulary, (including "Dominicanisms") and conversation. Dance is a component of the curriculum and the basics of merengue, bachata and salsa are taught. Some instruction takes place in markets and city centers so that students have the opportunity to practice their language skills with locals.

The first week at the American Language Partnership International (ALPI) offers two hours of class per day on TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) methodology, with several follow-up workshops. A one hour class on Dominican history and culture is taught weekly.

Beginning the second week, GAP students teach ESL to Dominican students 10 hours per week. They will be prepared through a 3 hour session of suggested methods and a brief introduction of service concepts. Students will work in an urban community service organization 10 hours per week. The last week of the program will involve a community service project with the rural "Jardin de los Niños" or on a Peace Corps site.

Cost in US$: Fall and Spring: $11,050; AY: $15,975

This Program is open to American Participants.

CIEE's Mission Statement: Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world." Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever. As we look ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles and values that guide this mission statement.

Year Founded: 1947