Program Description | Getting There | AFS Orientations and Activities
Program Description
You may be involved with projects in hospitals, nurseries, micro-finance development, and educational settings, or work on human rights issues or environmental projects. An arrival orientation introduces you to the country, the community service projects, and your host families. Enjoy living with your host family as you help—and learn about—Dominican communities and people.
The Community Service Program offers participants the possibility to do volunteer work over an extended period of time in the field that participant is interested on experiencing, related with Dominican sociocultural, economic or educational needs. Projects will be coordinated in conjunction with local non-governmental organizations, usually in less developed areas.
Available projects include working with the environment, community development, children, health, and education. The program will help the participants to get first-hand knowledge of the Dominican culture, develop language skills, and learn about the country’s development needs.
As with all AFS programs, you will be placed with a volunteer host family who will provide you with lodging, food, and guidance during your stay.
Participants are placed throughout the Dominican Republic. Most placements (approx. 60%) are in suburban areas. 35% are classified as urban placements and the remaining 5% are rural.
The basic diet of most Dominican families includes rice, beans, corn, fruit, and vegetables. Dominican families consider meat consumption not only healthy but a basic part of their diet. For this reason, it is difficult to accommodate students with dietary restrictions. Applicants who require a vegetarian diet may not be accepted.
The ability to speak Spanish is not a prerequisite for the program but we strongly suggest that you learn as much as possible prior to departure.
Download the Dominican Republic Community Service Program brochure.
Getting There
You and your fellow AFSers will fly together between Miami and Santo Domingo. After you collect your luggage and pass through customs you will be met by AFS staff and volunteers and taken to the arrival orientation site in the city.
After the orientation, you will either be picked up by your host family or, if you are placed far from Santo Domingo, you and the other particpants placed in your region will travel together by bus to your host community where you will be met by your host family.
AFS Orientations and Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically - the local Pre-Departure Orientation, Culture Trek, and the Gateway Orientation - you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad.
The first orientation will take place upon your arrival in Santo Domingo. This will be a 2 day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your first weeks abroad. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world. In addition to covering the rules and safety tips, there will be an emphasis on approaching your experience from an intercultural learning perspective.
At the end of your time abroad, there will be an evaluation camp in the days prior to departure. This is your chance to reflect on your experience and to share with other AFSers. You will also prepare for the cultural readjustment that is a part of returning home.
In addition to the orientations, many local chapters organize activities for students and host families throughout the year. These will vary from chapter to chapter but may include parties or excursions to other cities or regions in Costa Rica. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the student’s expense.
