Information for term January in Santiago DR
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenStudy in Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic this January and immerse yourself in the daily life of a vibrant developing Caribbean Island, where fascinating historical, commercial, and ecological treasures intersect.
Santiago de los Caballeros is conveniently located in the central Cibao valley in the northeastern part of the island, known as La Ciudad Corazon (the Heartland City), offering a glimpse of authentic Dominican culture. CIEE Santiago-DR organizes activities to help increase your intercultural understanding and enhance your Spanish language skills while enjoying the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
Unique Experiences
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EXPLORE THE DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS
of a tropical island by hiking and cycling along beautiful beaches, rivers, and mountains
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GET CAPTIVATED BY THE LOCAL LIFESTYLE
by immersing yourself in Dominican traditions and exploring street art in the “Heart City.”
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ENJOY LOCAL DOMINICAN CUISINE
from street food like savory empanadas, fresh tropical fruit juices, yun-yun, and yaroas to the most elaborate dishes in fine restaurants and welcoming homes.
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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS WHO ARE DOMINICAN
11 % -
MILES OF TROPICAL PARADISIAC COASTLINE IN THE COUNTRY
1,000 -
HIGHEST PEAK OF THE CARIBBEAN, PICO DUARTE
10,161 FT
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
Find yourself surrounded by mountains in the lush valley of the Cibao region in the center of the island of Hispaniola. Here lies Santiago De Los Caballeros, the second largest city in the Dominican Republic, which puts you steps away from places of historical, cultural, and ecological interest – not to mention about an hour’s drive to the Atlantic Coast with crystal-clear warm water and white sand. Santiago is the commercial and cultural center of the fertile Cibao Valley region, housing the León Jimenez cultural center and the commercial street of Calle del Sol.
Founded in 1495 by 30 caballeros from Columbus’ early expeditions, Santiago boasts a fascinating history, exciting museums, and endless cultural experiences, including music, art, and festivals. This growing, modern city is home to many Dominican specialties, such as cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, amber, and larimar, and a population of more than 800,000. Despite its sprawling size, Santiago retains many small-town features. Traditional merchants call out their wares in a musical chant, and street vendors balance large baskets of fruit and vegetables on their heads.
Close to the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the South, Santiago offers endless sports options, including baseball, kitesurfing, and golf, along with ample cultural and artistic entertainment and recreation. Here you can dance to the contagious rhythm of merengue and bachata and enjoy the best Dominican gastronomy.
Come and enjoy a vibrant and growing city in the Caribbean with everything the tropics offer, from some of the most beautiful beaches in the world to the highest peak of the Caribbean.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
- Explore the historic and cultural charms of Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic and one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities. Walk the cobblestoned paths around the historic colonial zone and dive into the culturally rich Parque Colon, while enjoying a freshly brewed coffee or a savory snack from one of the many cafes surrounding El Conde street. Indulge your history-enthused and art-loving mind by visiting some of the museums or even spending a few minutes at the park while street artists play different instruments, pose as living statues, and entertain you with their juggling abilities.
- Visit nearby cities and places of historical, social, or ecological relevance, such as Puerto Plata, Jarabacoa, or Rio Blanco, which offer further opportunities to enrich your experience in the D.R.
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Homestays. All students live with CIEE homestay families. Living with a Dominican family is your ticket to integration into life in Santiago de los Caballeros, as it provides an excellent opportunity for immersion into the local culture. Although families may be able to communicate in English, they foster communication in Spanish to motivate language learning.
Your host family provides a single room with a desk, laundry once a week, Wi-Fi, and a copy of the house keys. All homestays are within walking distance (up to 30 minutes) or a single public transportation ride (30-45 minutes) to Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) campus, and are conveniently located near coffee shops, commercial centers, ATMs, and restaurants. Students who are staying for a full year are responsible for their own housing during the break between semesters.
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MEALS
Homestays include three meals per day. Host families and students arrange their own meal schedules. If students miss a meal, they are responsible for either preparing it at home or eating in one of the many restaurants and cafés throughout the city.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
Courses are taught at CIEE Santiago De Los Caballeros and are only for CIEE students. Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and meet three to five times per week, and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online with our learning management system, Canvas.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
All students enroll in one 3-credit CIEE course.
Program Credit
Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits per session.
Course Credit
CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours per session.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Academic Culture
Class pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. CIEE courses follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lectures and discussions with co-curricular excursions and activities. Each course is a full semester in content, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of Santiago when classes are in session and plan trips for the weekends.
Class Format
Courses are for CIEE students only and are taught Monday-Friday, and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.
Grading
Students are graded on quizzes, exams, attendance, homework assignments, presentations, and class participation. As attendance is mandatory, absences affect final grades. Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates. Under no circumstances will CIEE alter deadlines or exam dates for study abroad students who have made conflicting travel plans. The course includes compulsory activities with special assignments as part of classwork. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
English
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
January 2024 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenBusiness, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Dates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2024 | Nov 1, 2023 | Dec 27, 2023 | Jan 17, 2024 |
$3,850
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 Educational Costs = $2,690 Housing = $780 Insurance = $80 Total Fees = $3,850Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $0 Personal expenses = $150 Total Estimated Costs = $150Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. |
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Dorka Tejada
Faculty-led and Custom and Short Term Program Manager
Dorka Tejada earned her technical degree in Agronomy at Loyola Dajabón, Dominican Republic, and has taken numerous business administration, tourism, and hotel management courses.
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Randolp Valenzuela
PROGRAM COORDINATOR, CIEE SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Randolp Valenzuela earned his technical degree in Electrical Technics at Politécnico México, Dominican Republic, and has taken numerous courses in business administration.
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Michelle Jiménez
ACADEMIC AND PROGRAM MANAGER
Michelle Jiménez is a Medical Doctor and Specialist in Internal Medicine from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madere y Maestra PUCMM.
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