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Study Abroad in the Dominican
Republic
Location
Santiago de los Caballeros is the second largest city in the
Dominican Republic, with a population of just under 300,000.
It is at the north end of the fertile Cibao valley, which
is the "bread basket" of the nation and the center
of Dominican agriculture. Santiago has a rich historical past,
having been founded by Spanish conquerors in the late 1490's.
Santiago is approximately 100 miles north of Santo Domingo
and about an hour's drive from the nation's major tourist
beaches on the north coast of the island.
University
Founded in 1962, the Instituto Superior de Agricultura (ISA)
is the preeminent educational institution for agriculture
in the Dominican Republic and is one of the finest in Latin
America. Through its Center for Economic and Food Research,
it undertakes advanced research designed to increase agricultural
production, preserve natural resources, create jobs, and alleviate
rural poverty in the Dominican Republic. Transportation to
downtown Santiago is provided through a campus minibus.
Courses & Credits
Each course is intensive and is offered in succession for
seven hours per day, five days per week over two weeks (70
contact hours). Non-Ohio State students should check with
their home university about transfer credit before application.
All courses are taught in English by faculty of the Instituto
Superior de Agricultura. Students must enroll for all three
courses. Students register at Ohio State and receive five
quarter hours for each of the three classes.
Spanish 697 (Dominican History and Culture) is offered
during the first two weeks of the program. The course includes
a review of basic Spanish language as well as classes on Dominican
history, social organization and culture. 5 quarter hours
of credit.
Agricultural Economics 697 (Rural Farming Systems),
offered during the second two weeks, focuses on crop production,
subsistence farming, commercial agriculture, export and domestic
consumption. 5 quarter hours of credit.
Rural Sociology 697 (Integrated Rural Development),
offered during the last two weeks, focuses on agrarian reform
programs, natural resource conservation and management issues,
and problems or rural poverty. 5 quarter hours of credit.
Accomodations
Students live in dormitories at the Instituto
Superior de Agricultura and take their meals in the cafeteria
on campus. Students participate in on-going campus activities
such as daily farm chores to increase their exposure to Dominican
life and facilitate new friendships. Some weekends are free
for personal activities.
Field Trips
Excursions and field trips to areas of agricultural, historical,
and cultural importance are required of all participants and
constitute approximately 40 percent of the program. An ISA
faculty member coordinates all program activities and will
be available to assist students in both academic and personal
matters.
Sample Itinerary
Not currently available.
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