International Field Study

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?

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.

PAYMENT TERMS

Deposit
Final Payment

PAYMENT AMOUNT

$500
$500

PAYMENT AMOUNT

12/05/2022
01/11/2023

*Price may increase or decrease depending on exchange rates, final vendor quotes and number of participants.

APPROXIMATE. PRICE
$1000 (BWR grant applied)

TRIP DATE 02/26/2023

TO

03/05/2023

TRIP DESTINATION
Dominican Republic

PROGRAM

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

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE
12/05/2022

Payment Options

Other Important Information

*Note: if we will be flying through the United States of America, you must have permission to enter and leave the United States. If you require a U.S travel visa it is your responsibility to obtain this document and email [email protected] a copy/photo.

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