Global Engagement Studies Institute in the Dominican Republic/Haiti website  (map)

Sponsor: Northwestern University Center for Global Engagement (CGE) at the Buffett Center for International and Comparative Studies (BCICS)

Location: Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic; Ouanaminthe, Haiti

Description: 

Students learn about international development, global engagement practices, project management, leadership, entrepreneurship and the realities of contemporary Dominican and Haitian life by connecting them with community based organizations to co-design and collaboratively implement a small-scale community development project. The program has three phases: (1) eight days of pre-departure coursework at Northwestern University, which prepares students for their project-based immersion, (2) eight weeks in the Dominican Republic working with a local community based organization, including 10 days working in the border region, crossing into Ouanaminthe, Haiti for project work, (3) a final reflection summit at Northwestern University.

Terms: 

• Summer

Term Notes: June 17 - August 24, 2013. Pre-departure coursework at Northwestern: June 17 - 24; Overseas component: June 25 - August 21; Final summit at Northwestern: August 22 - 24

Languages: English, Spanish, Haitian, Creole

Language Requirements: 

1 year or the equivalent of college-level Spanish.

Housing: 

Home stays in eastern Dominican Republic, hotel accommodation on the Dominican side of the border in Dajabon, Dominican Republic while working in the border region of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Program Costs: 

$8,200, which includes:

• Tuition for two Northwestern courses
• Lodging, food, and city transport during pre-departure and final summits
• In-country programming, including orientation during arrival, a home-stay/hotel accommodations with three meals a day, language instruction, transportation stipend for travel to and from work, HTH Worldwide Health Insurance coverage, and ongoing oversight and support.

Note: The Global Engagement Studies Institute offers partial to full scholarships to NU students. Awards are based on financial need, essay quality, and academic merit. Underrepresented minority students are encouraged to apply. See the GESI scholarships page for more details.