Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

Overview 

Welcome to Santo Domingo! The Dominican Republic's vibrant, urban metropolis is a jigsaw of contrasts – international business, art galleries, seaside Caribbean culture, elegant cuisine, and New World fortresses are all rolled into one dynamic nucleus. Locally referred to as 'La Capital,' this city of superlatives boasts both the oldest street and the first church in the Americas. Sample conch gratinée, take in the sounds of merengue and bachata, and discover this gem of the Caribbean.

Students will assess and develop cross-cultural competence and build connections between themselves and others. Students will reflect on how this experience connects to their individual academic disciplines and careers. Through direct interaction and communication with Dominican citizens, students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the importance of a local perspective in learning activities. Students will use reflection and readings to deepen experiential understanding of Dominican culture, history, education systems and its peoples.

Highlights and Excursions

• Students will visit a cocoa plantation, where they will learn about the history of cocoa, its process and taste chocolate.
• Visit Bayahibe Beach and take pictures of sea stars, then taste the local cuisine with a picnic on the beach.

Good to Know

• Physical Activity: The program will require moderate to extensive walking and standing to participate in guided city tours, day-long excursions, and service learnings.
• Passport and Group Airfare: The program includes round-trip group airfare from Columbus, OH (CMH) to Santo Domingo (SDQ). In order to book flights on time, we must have each participant’s valid passport information in the fall semester. If you don’t already have a passport, please apply as soon as possible—we strongly recommend applying no later than October 1 to ensure you receive it in time for ticketing.

Living Arrangements 

Students will stay in a centrally located 3 star hotel, with 2-3 students per room.  Breakfast is provided daily along with some additional meals. 

Program Dates 

March 7, 2026 - March 14, 2026

Academics  

• Undergraduate students will earn a total of 3 OHIO credits
  • INST 4930 | Special Topics: Community Engagement and Culture in Dominican Republic

Cost  

The following information is intended to help participants understand the estimated costs associated with the program.  For additional information regarding program costs, please refer to Understanding Program Costs for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-Credit Programs.

As of June 4, 2025, the total estimated cost for Spring Break 2026 is expected to be:

• Undergraduate estimate: $4,805 + 3 Credits of Spring Athens-Campus Tuition/Fees*

Looking for Funding Opportunities? 

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Eligibility and Requirements 

This program is open to all undergraduate students, regardless of major, with a minimum 2.0 grade-point average or above. Graduate students are required to have a 3.0 GPA. 

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad. Read the entire conduct policy.  

This program accepts NON-OHIO students. For more information about this process visit the Non-OHIO student page.   

Participants must have a at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. GED) by the start date of the program to be considered for eligibility.  Students enrolled in College Credit Plus (CC+) are not eligible for study away programs.

Application Requirements

All students are required to submit the following:

• DARS
• Personal Statement: Explain your personal interest in being immersed in Dominican culture and community engagement.

Entry and Exit Requirements 

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,   â¶Ä¯n´Ç·É.

U.S. citizens  will not  need a visa or other special document to enter the country for the length of this program. Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to this program. 

For more specific visa related information, please visit OGO’s  Visa Information Page 

Information for  Non-U.S. citizens  

Resources 

• Health and Safety
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations