Overview
Click to OpenExamine the complexities of healthcare in developing nations by studying in the Dominican Republic this summer. With classroom instruction plus fieldwork in urban and semi-rural settings, you’ll get a close look and new perspective on the social and health issues facing the Caribbean’s fastest-developing country. Courses are designed and taught, in Spanish, by a top-ranked Dominican Republic university and CIEE’s partner school, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), and complemented with immersive co-curricular activities designed to increase intercultural understanding.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
CIEE is requiring all participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling on programs. Read more ›
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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Get to know
a Dominican family while you improve your Spanish language skills.
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Make a difference
for Dominican patients and medical professionals as you engage at a semi-rural clinic and in an urban neighborhood.
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Expand your knowledge
of pressing global public health issues.
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average daily temperature (F)
78.5 -
universities
6 -
square miles of lush beauty make up remote Los Haitises National Park
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Location & Culture
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Your Destination
Founded in 1495 by 30 caballeros (knights) from Columbus’ early expeditions, Santiago is a growing, modern city with a population of more than 800,000. Despite its sprawling size, Santiago retains many small-town features. Traditional merchants ride burros loaded with baskets of goods and call out their wares in a musical chant. Street vendors balance large baskets of fruit and vegetables on their heads. People are friendly and crime is low. The people of Santiago like to play dominos, listen to merengue and bachata music, and talk about baseball.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Complete a ten-day rotation at a semi-rural medical clinic.
- Support the efforts of health promoters in marginalized urban neighborhoods.
Program Blogs
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Daily Life
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HOUSING
Homestays: Living with a Dominican family is your ticket to immersion into everyday Santiago life. Your Spanish-speaking host family provides housing and three meals a day. All homestays are within walking distance (15-30 minutes) of Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM). During the rural and urban stay, students live with host families with support from local medical staff and leaders in each community.
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MEALS
Homestay: Two meals are provided by your homestay family. You may arrange which depending on your schedule.
Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic Where You'll Study
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A
PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA MADRE Y MAESTRA
Santiago
Academics
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This intensive eight-week program includes orientation, six weeks of language and healthcare courses, a ten-day rural clinical field rotation, and a five-day urban stay. Students participate in a semi-urban community service practicum in an underserved area in Santiago while classes are in session. During this time, students will learn about public health with a focus on the health/illness process and its relation to health management, policies, and coverage. They will also explore mental health, preventive medicine programs, primary healthcare administration, and learn relevant medical Spanish terms.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
4 semesters of college-level Spanish (or equivalent)
Recommendations
College-level public health coursework recommended
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
Students enroll in three required CIEE courses.
Program Credit
Total credit: 10 U.S. semester/15 quarter credits
Course Credit
CIEE courses: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits; 45-60 contact hours
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
Students should expect a more formal and technical teaching style that relies on lectures and emphasizes memorization. Students should also expect a fast-paced and intense daily schedule. All classes are taught in Spanish.
Class Format
Students take courses only with other CIEE study abroad students.
Grading
Students are given letter grades from A-F on quizzes, exams, papers, presentations, and class participation. Attendance is mandatory.
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
Spanish
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
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.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- McDermott Health Sciences, Nursing, and Public Health Merit Scholarships
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- CIEE Stem Scholarship
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
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You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
What's Included
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Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Tian Song
Director, CIEE Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Tian Song is responsible for successful program administration of all semester, summer, and special programs in the Dominican Republic.
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Mibra Diaz
Student Life Coordinator
Mibra graduated with a law degree in 2012 from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestrea (PUCMM).
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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