Overview
Click to OpenStudy in Santiago this summer and immerse yourself in the daily life of a rapidly developing Caribbean country where fascinating historical, commercial, and ecological treasures intersect. You’ll get a taste of daily life in the city known as La Ciudad Corazón (City of the Heart) through excursions, a homestay with a local family, and real-world experience that brings classroom teachings to life.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
CIEE is requiring all participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling on programs. Read more ›
Unique Experiences
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EXPLORE THE SOCIOECONOMIC EFFECTS
of tourism around the fabulous North Coast.
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TAKE CLASSES
at Centro Cultural Dominico Americano or Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM)
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DEEPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING
of the culture and language in the Dominican Republic first-hand by living with a host family.
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industrial free-trade zone factories
100 -
residents
800K -
average daily temperature
78.5
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
Find yourself surrounded by mountains in the lush valley of the Cibao region. Santiago de los Caballeros, the second largest city in the Dominican Republic, puts you steps away from places of historical, cultural, and ecological interest - not to mention, about an hour’s drive to the Atlantic Coast. 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.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Santiago De Los Caballeros.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Explore the historic and cultural charms of Santo Domingo
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Visit places of historical, social, or ecological relevance such as Puerto Plata, Jarabacoa, or Rio Blanco.
PROJECTS
You’ll participate in a range of field experiences that lend practical context to your classroom-based learning. Unique opportunities to hear from and engage with people at the center and forefront of the country’s issues complement and enhance your experience.
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 (20-30 minutes) or a single public transportation ride of 25-35 minutes to Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) campus, and proximity to coffee shops, mall and commercial centers, ATMs, and restaurants.
Students who are staying for a full year are responsible for their own housing and meals during the break between semesters. -
MEALS
Homestays include three meals per day. Host families and students arrange their meal schedules.
Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic Where You'll Study
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A
CIEE SANTIAGO
Santiago
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B
PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA MADRE Y MAESTRA
Santiago
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C
CENTRO CULTURAL DOMINICO AMERICANO
Santiago
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
Students immerse themselves in the language, history, and culture of the Dominican Republic and gain in-depth insight into the region and people. Content courses are taught in English, and students can elect to enroll in an optional 1-credit Communicative Spanish course. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.
Centro Cultural DomÃnico-Americano (CCDA) is one of the best bilingual academic institutions of higher learning in the Dominican Republic, offering students the academic resources, support services, and physical facilities of a superior level Latin American educational institution.
Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra was founded in 1962 and dedicated to serving the social and economic development of all Dominicans. PUCMM has been ranked as the best academic institution of higher learning in the Dominican Republic. Just 15 minutes from downtown Santiago, PUCMM's campus has four academic schools: Social Sciences and Administration; Science and Humanities; Engineering Sciences; and Health Sciences.
CIEE Santiago is conveniently located on the PUCMM campus.
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
Students enroll in one required course per session.
Program Credit
Total credit: 3-4 per session U.S. semester/4.5-6 per session quarter credits
Course Credit
CIEE courses: 1-3 U.S. semester/1.5-4.5 quarter credits; 15-45 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
Deadlines are taken seriously here. Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates, and CIEE will not alter deadlines or exam dates for students who have made conflicting travel plans. Attendance is mandatory and Incompletes are not accepted.
Class Format
Classes are for CIEE students only.
Grading
Letter grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D, and F are given. Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, including essays, coursework, presentations, and final examinations, papers, or presentations.
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
Course Notes
- Students may enroll in the elective Communicative Language class during one session.
- “(GI)” denotes courses that originated at CIEE’s Global Institutes and are offered at multiple Global Institutes and CIEE Sites.
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:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
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
Click to OpenDates & Fees
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
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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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).
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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.
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! -
2
CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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