Ever wonder what fair-trade labels means to the workers who attach them? In the Dominican Republic – one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean – your experiences will shine a light on this and more. Examine their socio-economic challenges, and help improve their lives. Through coursework, fieldwork, internships, activities, and excursions, you’ll also improve your Spanish skills, and add valuable skills like research methodology, grant writing, critical analysis, and public speaking to your resume.

What is Unique about this Opportunity?

• Enjoy an internship placement in a service site corresponding to your academic interests
• Expose yourself to an experiential, collaborative learning model through grassroots and community-based engagement and learning
• Engage yourself in promoting community action and change through applied field research and a Capstone Project
• Build portfolio of practical life and job skills such as undergraduate research, grant writing, critical analysis & problem solving, and public speaking and presentations in target language
• Be a part of an ongoing and co-curricular rural partnership in organic farming and environmental justice
• Visit sites of cultural, economic, and social importance, including the Free Trade Zone,  the Dajabón bi-national market on the Haitian border, Boca de Nigua and Engombe (historic ruins of slave-run sugar mills). Visits include readings, debriefs, and facilitated group reflections on each experience

How do I choose among programs?

• See the Office of Global Learning’s “Selecting a Program” page for information on program types and considerations
• Use the search features on the Experience Cornell  Opportunities page to filter for programs approved by your college, and by particular subject areas
• Go to the “Get Advice” page for information on drop-in advising hours, scheduling an advising appointment, returned student contacts, and college advisors for study abroad
• Find out about upcoming events, check out FAQs, and read stories from returned study abroad students

How do I apply?

Applying to study abroad is a two-step process. You may complete both steps simultaneously, but the Cornell approval process must be complete before your program advisor in the Office of Global Learning can submit any approval or nomination to the program.

1. For Cornell Approval, click on the "Apply" button on this webpage. Applications are approved by the Office of Global Learning on a rolling basis until the application deadline listed on this page.
2. For Program Admission, complete an external application directly on the program’s webpage, using the link in the “Snapshot” section. (Note: This deadline may be in advance of the general Cornell deadline for approval. Many programs fill by rolling admission.