The Dominican Republic is the second largest country in the Caribbean. It is located on the island of Hispaniola. The Dominican Republic resides on the eastern side of the island.  Haiti is located on the west.  The Dominican is a mountainous country and has both the highest and lowest land in the Caribbean. Pico Duarte is the tallest point in the Caribbean and Lake Enriquillo is the lowest point in the Caribbean.  The Dominican has a long history that can be dated back to the 7th century with its indigenous population called the Tainos. It was first brought into western history during that famous moment in 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue.  Known as a popular Caribbean tourist destination, the Domincan Republic is more than a luxurious vacation- it is a country that prides itself on the beauty of the land and the wonders of its culture.  With the meringue and baseball at the top—both music and sports play a large role in Dominican culture.  To get a real sense of Dominican culture visit Santiago or Santo Domingo—or for a cooler excursion with plenty of outdoor activities, head to Jarabacoa also known as the City of Eternal Spring.

Located on the Southeast coast of the Dominican Republic just at the point where the Ozama River meets the Caribbean Sea, is the Dominican Republic’s capital city, Santo Domingo.  With a population of approximately 3 million, it is the Dominican Republic’s largest city.   Historically, Santo Domingo is the first city of the Americas.  And Santo Domingo really is a place where the old world meets the new.   Here you can find the Ozama Fortress, the oldest European fortress in the Americas and Calle de Las Damas, the first street in the Americas.  Near the fortress you will also find the Alcázar de Colón, a 16th century palace built by Christopher Columbus’s son, Diego Colón. Today the building houses some of the finest European Medieval and Renaissance artwork.  But Santo Domingo has more than just history- there is salsa, merengue and bachata music spilling onto the streets, and so much food to try such as pastelitos (small empanadas), picapollo (fried chicken), and tostones (fried plantains).  And Santo Domingo is the place to be for Carnaval in the spring and their Merengue Festival in the summer. 

Program Description

The Santo Domingo: Liberal Arts program is run by CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange.  CIEE is the leading U.S. non-governmental international education organization.  The organization’s mission is "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world." 

The CIEE: Santo Domingo Liberal Arts program is for advanced level Spanish students who are motivated to gain a deeper appreciation of the realities of Dominican society, and the Caribbean region as a whole, especially issues of underdevelopment, through both academic and internship activities.  This CIEE program is hosted by Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLASCO).  Founded by UNESCO, FLASCO is linked to research and teaching centers throughout Latin America.  Through FLASCO you will be allowed to take classes at the following universities:

IInstuto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC)- INTEC is a private university founded by a group of professionals and businessmen in the 1980s to promote academic excellence in the areas of social sciences, humanities, medicine, business, and engineering.

Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD)- UASD is the largest and oldest university in the Dominican Republic.  It was founded in 1538 and it currently boasts approximately 160,000 students.  This public university offers CIEE courses in the humanities and social sciences.

Instituto Filósofico Pedro Fancisco Bonó (El Bonó)- El Bonó is a small Jesuit institute of higher learning specializing in philosophy and social sciences.

Information at a Glance

• Academics

• Academic Calendar

• Accommodations and Meals

• Excursions

• Program Costs

• Scholarships

• Travel Brochure

For more information about this program, please visit the Santo Domingo: Liberal Arts website.