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Learn merengue in the Dominican Republic and flamenco in Spain! With CIEE, you can enjoy two programs in one Gap Year Abroad – new world and old world. Improve your Spanish and immerse yourself in the history of the Dominican Republic and vibrancy of Spain!

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the program

CIEE support

Our CIEE partners in Santiago and Seville are responsible for the supervision and support of CIEE participants throughout the duration of their stay. A local coordinator is assigned to each student in each location and will remain in regular contact throughout the year in order to check in on the student's language progress and to make sure that home life and the volunteer placement continues to go well. CIEE staff select, screen, and interview all host families and will place students in a family that best suits the student’s profile.

CIEE orientation

Orientation will take place upon your arrival in Santiago and once again when you arrive in Seville. The programs consist of information on important topics such as an introduction to your host city and country, getting to know your host family, volunteer opportunities, health and safety, tips on how to adjust to a new culture and language, the academic program, and getting to know other students going to the same country. Students will be met at the airport upon their arrival by CIEE Study Center staff. They will also assist in the final transfer to their host family.

CIEE excursions

Chilean host families provide the student with a variety of cultural excursions and activities, such as visiting museums and art galleries, attending theater performances or participating in a carnival 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, the colonial zone of Santo Domingo on the south coast (a UNESCO world heritage site), and also to the original site of the city of Santiago. A three day trip to Contanza (highest city in the Caribbean) and to Samana are highlights.

In Seville, the host family interact with their students in everyday activities such as a local exhibit, a daytrip to a nearby town, attending a concert or play or opera, or a possible trip to the host family’s home town. Students may have the opportunity to become part of local sports teams or other recreational pursuits, as available. Students may also participate in CIEE organized events. Available trips will be discussed during your on-site orientation. A trip to Morocco is included during your period in Seville and a trip to Salamanca for the yearlong participants in the Spring.

The Gap Year Abroad coordinator, in both locations, will send out notification to students advising them of CIEE sponsored activities.