This unit-based summer program is led by faculty from the IU Bloomington Department of Spanish and Portuguese for students from the Bloomington campus. Participants engage in service projects and academic activities in the Dominican Republic to improve their Spanish conversation skills.
Spanish Conversation and Service Learning in the DR
Applications
Summer 2024
This application has closed.
Program Dates
Summer 2024: 5/8 - 5/24
NOTE: Program has been cancelled for Summer 2024.
- Program Organization
- This is a Unit-Based Program
- Summer Program
- Instruction provided by IU Department of Spanish & Portuguese faculty, including Erik Willis
- 14-18 IU Bloomington students
- Academic Program
- 3 IUB credits in HISP-S 317: Spanish Conversation and Diction [Note: S317 can be taken twice for credit]
- Service facilitated by partner organization 7Elements to provide service to local communities in several projects which may include building bottle buildings, laying cement floors, providing community education on water filters, and cacao reforestation projects, among others
- Cultural excursions to Sosúa beach, the city of Santiago to tour the Centro León anthropology museum, Laguna Gri-Gri to visit a small downtown plaza, and Laguna Dudú
- Additional Information
- Housing
- Shared rooms and meals at 7elements eco-lodge facilities
- Lodge is located 200 yards from the beach, protected by a fence, guard dog, and watchmen
- Program Eligibility
You may apply if you:
- are an undergraduate student at any Indiana University campus who is making normal academic progress
- are in at least your second full-time semester of college
- are able to engage in sustained physical activity in the heat
- are willing to live and work with a group
- have taken or are enrolled in fifth semester college-level Spanish with a B average earn a grade of B or better by the end of the spring term
- have approximately a 3.0 cumulative GPA
Students must have a passport valid for six months beyond program's end date.
Students must be able to demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and self-reliance.
Complete eligibility criteria and selection criteria are outlined within the Academic Policies and Procedures of Education Abroad. Selection is based on maturity, seriousness of purpose, and appropriateness of match between program and applicant. Students on disciplinary probation during program period are ineligible.
- Costs and Financial Aid
Summer 2024
See IU Fee Sheet for program cost and payment details.Initial prepayment of $500 due upon acceptance to confirm participation.Financial Aid and Scholarships:
- Most IU scholarships, grants and loans applicable to program costs, only if you are enrolled in 6 credits in IU summer sessions.
Please see our financial aid page for general information and links to additional scholarship opportunities.
- Program Contacts
For general information about this program, please visit or contact our office. To set up an appointment, please visit One.IU to access the Student Appointment Scheduler (SAS) tile.
Program Contact
For questions about costs, scholarships, and financial aid, please contact our office.
Faculty member who can provide detailed guidance and answer questions about logistics, program specifics, and coursework:
Prof. Erik Willis
Dept. Spanish & PortugueseEmail: ewwillis@indiana.edu
Student Services Coordinator
Helps students navigate the application process and coordinates with cosponsoring organizations.
Chelsea Jones
Email: cheljone@iu.edu