W23 Dominican Republic – Colonial Discoveries

Status

Closed

Trip Destination

Dominican Republic

Approximate Price

$1000 (BWR grant applied)

Trip Date

02/26/2023

TO

03/05/2023

Application Deadline

12/05/2022

APPLY NOW

Cost Information

Cost for Domestic Students: $500-$1000 (includes IFS + BWR Course)
Cost for International Students: $1000 (includes IFS + BWR Course)
Cost for Students Not Willing to Take the BWR Course: ~$5000 (Full amount of IFS)

Above costs are for International Field Studies, for other programs please see the approximate cost listed above.

Program Information

This opportunity is available to all Niagara College students. Please note that part-time students are not eligible for the Be World Ready Grant.

 

Physical Intensity

Accommodations

Meals

Steps to Apply

W23 Dominican Republic – Colonial Discoveries

Welcome to the Dominican Republic! Known affectionately to the locals as Quisqueya, meaning the “mother of all lands”, this beautiful country is lined with palm tree studded beaches all along its Caribbean and Atlantic shores, mountain ranges, rich soils and an incredible history dating back to Christopher Columbus’ first voyage in 1492. With so much history, beautiful scenery, and its passionate people, there is no wonder why this country sees over 7 million visitors per year!

Our week of discovery begins as we board our direct flight to paradise from Toronto. Upon arrival in Punta Cana, we will be met by our local partners who will escort our group for what is sure to be an incredible week of beautiful sights, cultural immersion, and the opportunity to create a lasting impact through community outreach. We start by spending time with the Puntacana Foundation, pioneers, and advocates of sustainable development in the Dominican Republic. The Foundation has a vast range of innovative projects which serve as living, breathing examples of sustainable tourism. Throughout the week, we will continue to learn about sustainability, biodiversity, tourism, and culture, while contributing time to the local community through various outreach efforts. To assist with our outreach efforts, all students will have the opportunity to pack with a purpose, and witness firsthand the importance and impact our donations have on the local community.

This beautiful country, the “mother of all lands”, truly has it all. From beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and a passionate people, it is the perfect destination for Niagara College students to visit this Winter. Join Be World Ready for a journey to paradise, exploration of colonial cities, while enhancing your global mindset and truly becoming a global citizen by helping our international communities. Will you pack for a purpose this winter break week?

Travel Visa + Immigration Documentation:

Students are responsible for researching and applying for any required visa(s) on their own; Be World Ready is not able to apply for any travel visa(s) on your behalf. Be World Ready will provide you with supporting documentation as needed to apply for a Visa once the deadline to register has passed. All international students will need to ensure that their Study Permits and Student Visas are not expired before the date of return from the international experience, to ensure that there are no challenges upon reentry to Canada. Travel restrictions and requirements for entry to Canada may change at any time. All travellers are responsible for remaining up to date with any restrictions and requirements for travel and re-entry to Canada leading up to and throughout their International Field Study. Niagara College Canada will assume no responsibility for any changes to governing body travel restrictions, required documentation for travel or any refused entry as a result of change. Travellers are encouraged to review the Government of Canada Website for the latest restrictions and requirements for entry to Canada, as well as to check entry requirements to their destination country as a Canadian citizen.

DAY 1: February 26, 2023

 Make your way to Toronto Pearson International Airport and be sure to say a short good-bye to our Canadian climate for a week as you board your direct flight to paradise – Punta Cana! Bienvenido a Punta Cana! Feel the sun on your face and see the breeze sway the palms as you make your way to your hotel to prepare for the inspirational week ahead.

  • Afternoon: Check-in at Centro de Sustenabilidad Fundacion Punta Cana
  • Evening: Group dinner and free evening

DAY 2: February 27, 2023

As we wake up feeling refreshed and ready to seize the day, we begin our week in the Dominican Republic by spending some time with the amazing people over at the Puntacana Foundation. The Puntacana Foundation are critical pioneers and advocates of sustainable development in the Dominican Republic. The Foundation has a vast range of innovative projects which serve as living, breathing examples of sustainable tourism. We will spend the next day and a half with the Puntacana Foundation, learning about their successes, ongoing projects, and their impact on the local community.

  • Visit with the Puntacana Foundation
  • Tour of the Ojos Indígenas Ecological Reserve
  • Afternoon: Bathing is possible (it is open on holidays and a park ranger will be assisting) – part of the educational experience and free afternoon to explore on an off the resort.
  • Evening: Dinner at lesuire

DAY 3: February 28, 2023

This morning, we connect again with the Puntacana Foundation and learn more about their impact on the local community. On this field study, students will have the incredible opportunity build upon their global citizenship and participate in the Pack for a Purpose initiative. Pack for a Purpose is an initiative that collects essential items through community drives and donates them to the local community members as well as to help provide much needed items for local projects in the Dominican Republic. Throughout our week we will see the impact that our donations have on the local community and see for ourselves the incredible importance of global citizenship.

This afternoon, we embark for the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo! Being the oldest city in the Americas, it’s pretty clear that this city is absolutely brimming with culture, history, and amazing architecture. Exciting planning for our afternoon activity for this day is still underway. Stay tuned!

  • Visit with the Puntacana Foundation
  • Tour of Sustainable Center Projects
  • Visit to the Marine Innovation Center
  • TBC – Community Service Learning Activity
  • Afternoon: Travel to Santo Domingo
  • Visit to Cuevas de las Maravillas

DAY 4: March 1, 2023  

Buenos dias! Today will be an incredible day full of inspiring knowledge and increasing our awareness as we will be meeting with our colleagues at the Universidad Autónoma de Santiago, one of the first universities established in the Western Hemisphere, to dive into important topics such as sustainability, tourism, biodiversity, and culture. We will also have the privilege of meeting with the Honorable Rector of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo.

This afternoon, we will visit the Seismological Institute at UASD. The role and responsibility of the Seismological Institute is to monitor the seismicity of the Dominican Republic. How cool!

  • Information sessions at Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo
  • Conference on Biodiversity and Tourism
  • Visit Seismological Institute at UASD

DAY 5: March 2, 2023

An exciting day is ahead as we learn more about the fair-trade coffee production in the Dominican Republic. Niagara College has had a long-standing relationship with local community members in the Dominican Republic, proudly working alongside to assist with the education of diversification of crop growth. Coffee has long been the principal source of income for many people in the Dominican Republic, but recently the plants have been infected with “Roya” or coffee rust which has devastated the harvest. Activities related to fair-trade are to be determined.

  • TBC – Service Learning Activity with local primary schools

DAY 6: March 3, 2023

Today you will spend the day with peers from the University and have a collaborative discussion and debate about the most pressing Sustainable Development Goals impacting the Dominican Republic and many parts of the Global South, along with the Dominican culture and educational system. You will have the opportunity to learn from your peers in a classroom setting and share your observations and thoughts from your experience in the Dominican Republic so far. You may even have the chance to put your Latin dance skills to the test! The afternoon will be spent in the city with your University peers, continuing your discussions while you explore Santo Domingo and enjoy dinner together.

  • Morning at the University
  • Lunch at University Cafeteria
  • Afternoon exploring Santo Domingo
  • Evening at leisure in Santo Domingo

DAY 7: March 4, 2023

Another exciting day awaits us as we spend more time in the oldest city in the Americas, Santo Domingo! Immerse yourself in history, be dazzled by the architecture and enjoy the old-world charms of the Colonial Zone. Planning for additional activities is still underway!

  • Colonial Zone
  • Cultural activities TBD

DAY 8: March 5, 2023

The day has come where we must say our farewell to the Dominican Republic for this break week. It’s been a fulfilling week, full of incredible knowledge, heartfelt efforts and an awareness of how to be a better global citizen. Next stop, Toronto. Adiós por ahora República Dominicana.

Morning departure to Punta Cana at 9 AM

Disclaimers: Be World Ready does their best to execute the itinerary as outlined above, however all elements are subject to change based on availability or requirement to adapt due to circumstances outside of our control. Cost of the overall experience may fluctuate up to a maximum of $200.00 +/- CAD due to volume of participants and local exchange rate. Students will be informed in writing as early as possible if it is foreseen that the cost will increase. Students are also reminded that it is their responsibility to research the entry requirements to the destination countries visited per their nationality and vaccination status.

* Price per student is in Canadian Dollars and reflects the Be World Ready (BWR) grant which has been applied to the total trip cost to heavily subsidize the rate per person for our Fall 2022 International Field Studies (IFS). Our future IFS BWR grants will not remain this high. To qualify for the full value of the BWR grant applied to this IFS, mandatory training and tasks are required to be completed, training and task expectations will be clearly communicated by BWR staff upon registration. Failure to complete the requirements as outlined by BWR staff will result in the value of the grant being billed back to the applicable student account, up to a maximum of $2500. Securing your seat on this trip will occur on a first come, first serve basis based on registration date, and meeting payment timelines.

  • Included
    • Round-trip airfare, including 1 checked bag (maximum weight is 23kg/50lb and maximum size is 158cm/62 linear inches)
    • Accommodations (Punta Cana Foundation & Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo)
    • Travel insurance
    • Ground transportation in country
    • Activities as described in the itinerary
    • Rate per student is inclusive of taxes and fees

     

  • Not Included
    • Donations for Pack for a Purpose
    • Visa Fees (if necessary)
    • Passport (or any associated costs)
    • Transportation to/from Toronto
    • Meals not outlined in the daily itinerary
    • Items of a personal nature
    • Souvenirs
    • Departure taxes (otherwise known as an Exit Tax) or additional fees for items not noted as included, if applicable. Example of additional fees could be overweight baggage.
The Be World Ready program at Niagara College prepares you for global success through education, exchange, and international experience. This program offers you the opportunity to experience culturally diverse learning environments, understand different perspectives and connect practical skills with a global mindset to help you launch your career.
An international field study is a 7 – 10 day experience that incorporates both vocational and cultural elements, while visiting some of the world’s most famous sights! Many of our international field studies are customized for specific Schools and programs at Niagara College, allowing students to apply the skills learned in the classroom in a real-world setting. All international field studies depart during the Niagara College break weeks to ensure that students do not miss any classes.
All international field studies will include roundtrip airfare (where applicable), accommodations, travel insurance, entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary, and some meals as outlined in the itinerary. A detailed list of inclusions and exclusions will be viewable on the posted webpage for any international field study on our website. Participants can expect to purchase some meals on their own and will need to bring spending money for any souvenirs, extra excursions, incidentals or items of a personal nature.

No. All aspects noted as included in the overall cost of the selected international field study are mandatory with no exceptions made. Our international field studies are built using group pricing and it is important that we do not deviate from the inclusions as it could negatively impact our ability to offer fair pricing to all participants.

In addition to affecting group pricing, these are our Niagara College International Field Study policies, and we cannot deviate from them, as they are part of our risk mitigation and management.

No. Students are not able to book their own flight in any way or alter the flights confirmed by Be World Ready. The round-trip flights as confirmed by Be World Ready are part of the package pricing, and the group is to travel to and from the destination country together.

These are our Niagara College International Field Study policies, and we cannot deviate from them, as they are part of our risk mitigation and management.

Each international field study destination has different accommodation providers or themes. Accommodation types that are used may include a combination of dorm-style rooms, homestays, tourist class hotels, or occasionally hostels. We strive to ensure we use centrally located accommodation when in city centres, allowing our participants to explore their surroundings more easily. Private accommodation is not guaranteed.

Rooms will vary in style on each trip; however, they are commonly twin share (2 people to a room with separate beds where possible). Single rooms may be available for an additional room fee provided adequate notice is given to Be World Ready staff. We strive to ensure you have comfortable, affordable accommodations anywhere you travel.

Students will be given the opportunity to meet their fellow travellers before the deadline to submit their roommate requests. Be World Ready does their best to accommodate rooming requests, but please note that final rooming arrangements are subject to room occupancy requirements and availability. A rooming list will be created by Be World Ready staff and shared with our accommodation providers before your departure. All participants will be emailed and will have the opportunity to identify their preferred roommate(s). While we will make every effort to ensure all preferences are met, we cannot guarantee it.

As long as they are current full-time Niagara College students and meet the program eligibility requirements. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept any persons to participate in any of our international field studies that are not current full-time students at Niagara College.

In addition to regular communications shared with participants leading up to the departure of their international field study of choice, Be World Ready requires students to attend the Be World Ready course, which includes but is not limited to, online trainings and pre-departure training sessions. During the pre-departure training sessions, students will be presented with the overall expectations of the trip as well as in-depth details concerning their itinerary.

During their time abroad, students will be able to communicate with their trip leads directly, 24/7, with any questions or concerns.

All participants are required to hold a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond any expected date of return to participate in any opportunity involving outbound travel.

You are responsible for researching and applying for any required visa(s) on your own. Be World Ready is unable to tell you what visa you require and how to apply. Be World Ready will provide you with supporting documentation as needed to apply for a Visa. While Be World Ready is not able to advise or guide you in a heightened level of detail through any particular visa process, you may consider hiring a travel visa service to assist you with the visa application process, such as CIBT visas. Please note that Be World Ready and Niagara College do not endorse any third-party vendors, nor have any influence or control over any outcomes or services rendered. We cannot apply for a visa on behalf of any participant.

All international students will need to ensure that their Study Permits and Student Visas are not expired before the date of return from the international experience, to ensure that there are no challenges with reentry to Canada.

Yes, while it is great to have a Nexus card, all participants must hold a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond any expected date of return in order to participate in any opportunity outside of Canada.
Depending on your destination country, we encourage you to book an appointment with a travel health professional regarding any additional vaccinations and medications you may need. It is strongly encouraged that you book an appointment with the Campus Nurse to go over this information. To do so, please visit the medical office to book an appointment at your respective campus.
Be World Ready takes the safety of our staff and students very seriously and has a rigorous risk management assessment when creating all opportunities. Be World Ready staff monitor destination country risk levels as communicated by the Government of Canada. Your safety is the most important aspect of this trip. Be World Ready and Niagara College take all possible precautions to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable experience while travelling abroad.
Students who sign up during the active promotional period for the international field study will be presented with a payment schedule to follow. At time of registration, students will be only required to pay the full non-refundable deposit that is disclosed at time of registration. Students who are permitted to sign up late will be expected to catch up on any payments missed according to the payment schedule advertised. In some instances, there may only be one payment due date.
Complete the eligibility quiz linked on the webpage of the International Field Study you’re interested in to find out if you meet eligibility requirements.
No. Students will not directly receive grant money as the full value of the grant has already been applied to the final payment to offset the total cost of the learning experience abroad. For students who do not complete all grant requirements by established deadlines (including the time of submission), the full grant amount may be charged directly to their student account. Details on grant requirements will be shared with you as part of the mandatory Be World Ready (SOCL 1128 or IDPL 9103) course, which all students participating in a Be World Ready International Field Study must enroll in and successfully complete to receive funding.
Students are only permitted to travel on an IFS to their home country if the IFS is program specific. IFS’ that are open to students from all programs do not permit students to travel if the destination is their home country. The purpose of the grant funding is to help students gain global competencies that they would not otherwise be exposed to, and as such, travelling to destinations they’ve previously lived in does not support this goal.
Students have the potential to travel and receive funding through Be World Ready up to 2 times; students can travel once on either an International Field Study, Summer Institute, or Semester Exchange, and they can potentially travel again for a Work Abroad opportunity (if eligibility requirements are met – please note that if more applications are received than work abroad grants available, priority will be given to those who have never travelled on any type of Be World Ready experience before). So, if you’re wanting to travel on an International Field Study, note that participation on an IFS is permitted only for students who have not yet experienced a Be World Ready IFS, Summer Institute, or Semester Exchange since beginning their studies at Niagara College.

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