Program Location- The Dominican Republic occupies two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola. Columbus happened upon this island in December 1492 and established a small colony. When he returned a year later, the colony had been destroyed by the Taino Indians, the island’s original inhabitants. Columbus established another colony and left his borther Bartholomew in charge. This settlement grew into the capital city of Santo Domingo which is now the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas. During the first half of the 16th century, Santo Domingo became the hub of the Spanish commerce and culture of the New World. A good deal of this atmosphere has been preserved in the city’s 16th century Colonial Zone which is a gold mine for history buffs. In the 17th Century, the western half of the island was ceded to the French, and a slave revolt in 1804 resulted in the first black republic, Haiti. The Dominican Republic declared itself independent from Haiti in 1844, and independence day, in late February, is now the biggest holiday in the country.

The country is a major Caribbean resort attracting over three million tourists in 2004 with the largest hotel plant in the Caribbean. The country has a population of 8.7 million of which 2.2 million live in the capital city of Santo Domingo. Theis program is not for everyone. In spite of its luxury resorts, this is a country of great contrasts in terms of wealth and students must accommodate themselves to living in a developing country with a per capita income of $6,300.

Academic Program- The program is located at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in Santo Domingo. The University enrolls about 5000 students and is generally regarded as the finest in the country. At PUCMM, we offer two options:
• The Intensive Spanish Language Program for English speakers
• The Direct Enrollment Program for Spanish speakers

The Intensive Language Program can accommodate students with little or no background in Spanish. Advanced level students who are not quite ready to take regular university courses can also be accommodated. Beginning and intermediate level students will enroll for 9 credits or intensive Spanish, divided into three 5-week modules. They will also be enrolled in a 30credit course on Dominican Society and Culture (taught in English) and a 30credit community service course (taught in English). This will make up a 15-credit semester. Very little choice is offered in this program, although another course taught in English is sometimes available. Students with higher levels of Spanish may take 6-9 credits of advanced language work and a regular university level course, if qualified. Community service and the Dominican Society course are also available.

The Direct Enrollment Program is designed for students with enough background in Spanish to take all of their courses at the university with the regular Dominican students. These students are also allowed to take the community service or Dominican Society course if their schedule allows. A list of courses available for each semester is usually not available, although a sample from past semesters can be sent to the student.

Language of Instruction- English and Spanish

Credits- 15 undergraduate credits can be earned in the semester

Qualifications- The Dominican Republic study abroad program is open to sophomores and above. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0. Students must also submit an application complete with a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and an official transcript. Students from CCIS member schools will register and pay at their own campus. Others will generally register at BCC/SUNY. Prior Spanish language study is not required.

Housing- Students will be placed in home stays with families where two meals will be prepared and taken with families. Students have single rooms and sometimes have access to kitchen facilities where they can store food and prepare their own meals.

Approx. Program Dates- Starting and ending times for these programs may differ slightly but both are approximately 16 weeks in length. The fall semester starts in the third week of August and ends before Christmas. The spring semester starts in the second week of January and ends in mid-May.

Application Deadlines- May 1 for Fall Semester, November 15 for Spring Semester