Program Description
As with all AFS high school programs, you will be placed with a volunteer host family while attending a local host school.
Students are placed throughout the Dominican Republic, but most often in rural, small communities.
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.
Vegetarians can be particularly difficult to place and may need to be flexible.
Getting There
You and your fellow AFSers will travel together from one of the gateway cities in the United States. You all will arrive Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, collect your baggage and pass through customs. You will be met by AFS staff and volunteers and then travel to your host community, which may be some distance away.
AFS Orientations and Activities
AFS will provide you with several orientations throughout your experience. These orientations give you a chance to gather important information about your host country, to meet other AFS teens from around the world, to share experiences and make friends. These group activities give you a chance to understand and process your intercultural learning experience during your time abroad as well as The first orientation will take place upon your arrival in Santo Domingo.
This will be a 4 day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your first weeks abroad. At the language and orientation camp, you will do most of the practical work: cleaning, cooking, shopping, etc. This involves hard work, but it will be an unforgettable experience. You will make friends from all over the world and join in games, singing and dancing. In other words, it will be fun! You will then travel to your host community.
About 1 week in to your stay, you will have a special welcome event for you and your hostfamily. This will be organized at the national level and will last for 2 days and will focus on cultural and school adjustment. You will also meet with AFS staff and volunteers to evaluate your first experiences and be offered guidance to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Finally, there will be an evaluation camp in the weeks 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.
These required orientations are intended to help you maximize the AFS experience, prevent culture shock and to gain knowledge, skills and a global understanding.
In addition, there may be cultural weekends in Santo Domingo or other places, a trip to the carnival of La Vega and an Adventure Weekend (the cost of this trip will be shared between AFS Dominican Republic and the participants).
