- Where does the group go? How does it get there? The group will be flying from Logan airport in Boston to Santo Domingo, DR (the capital city.)
- When does the trip take place? This trip takes place during Spring Break. It normally leaves the Saturday it starts and comes back the Saturday before classes.
- Who participates? In addition to the undergraduate and graduate students of Boston College who will participate in this trip, there is also a staff advisor and two student leaders.
- What do students do on this trip? This immersion/service trip to Santo Domingo is a chance to become immersed in Dominican culture for one week while studying the range of schools in the Dominican system, from the best to the worst. The mission of this project is to compare the private and public school systems and get a first-hand understanding of the range of educational options available to Dominican children based on their socio-economic status. Trip participants are fortunate enough to spend several days within diverse schools in the following activities: volunteering, teaching, and outreach. They then compare and contrast the Dominican classrooms to what they know of the U.S. educational system. The primary location for this trip is Villa Benedición, an orphanage and school in Santo Domingo. While in the Dominican Republic, trip participants provide a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer service across an assortment of educational situations, and immerse themselves as fully as possible in the culture of the Dominican Republic. In assisting these schools and the Dominican community as a whole, a dynamic interaction takes place in which both cultures have the opportunity to learn from each other. Each year, the group also hopes to have extra money to donate to the schools for supplies and/or for projects they are beginning (such as creating a library). The overall vision of this trip is to create an annual student-inspired service project that will build a long-term relationship with communities across the country.
- When will notifications be made regarding applications? Applicants will be contacted to set up an interview. After the interview process, applicants will be contacted if they have been selected to participate. Those not selected will be placed on a waiting list.
- What about meals and sleeping arrangements? Participants will be staying at a local University Residence in Santo Domingo. There will be two students per room. Although the Residence is situated in a safe neighborhood, the property is gated and has the added protection of a security guard at night. The group receives private transportation for travel throughout Santo Domingo. Meals will be provided for the group while on the trip: at the Residence for breakfast and lunch and at local cafes and restaurants for dinner. Participants try to pick authentic Dominican places to eat so as to further immerse themselves in the culture.
- Do participants need to be fluent in Spanish to participate in this trip? No. Although participants do not need to be fluent, some Spanish skills would be helpful, but not necessary. Trip members are selected from a range of Spanish speaking abilities.
- How many students will be picked for this trip? In addition to the staff advisor and student leaders, between 10 and 12 students are picked to go on the trip.
Please feel free to contact Tracy Eisenhauer at eisenhat@bc.edu or at 552-2123 with any further questions you may have.