Dominican Republic: Changing the American Dream Past Review

By (Human Rights and English with a Film Concentration, Barnard College) for

CIEE: Santo Domingo - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Very cheap living expenses. I was able to go 5 months in the country on $2,000.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate II
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Host family, friends, everyone on the street. Santiago is better than Santo Domingo in this aspect because very few people speak English, unlike in the capital.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans