Dominican Republic Program
Become an explorer like Christopher Columbus. Discover a culture and people of rich heritage as you launch into an immersion experience in the Dominican Republic. You will find yourself in a new world of experiences as you live, work, and study.
The Dominican Republic was the birthplace of Spanish America and has become a vibrant blended culture of the descendants of those who were there (or brought there) before, during, and after the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Experience the richness of this culture during a semester of Spanish study and ministry during your fall semester. Students will receive 9-12 credits in Spanish as well as an additional 3-6 credits for internships at ministry sites around the city of Jarabacoa. For the first 5 weeks of the program, students will study Spanish with native Dominican instructors, and then actively use it at any of 11 ministry sites with programs in art, education, medicine, dentistry, social work, sports, or community development. Students will also enroll in a three credit Latin American culture class taught by Dr. Scott DeVries, assistant professor of Spanish and Chair of Bethel's department of Foreign Languages. This course will involve two weeks of field work around the Dominican Republic including travel to major cities, museum visits, tours of historic and archaeological sites, and first-hand experience of many authentic Dominican cultural activities.
On Bethel's Dominican Republic semester abroad program, you will learn from Dominicans about their history, culture, and language and you will learn from them and work with them in furthering God's kingdom on their island and in our world.
There will be several opportunities to visit locations all over the island including the first Cathedral built in the Caribbean, the tallest point in the Caribbean, and beaches on both coasts.
Schedule Breakdown
- September 4 & 5—Orientation at Bethel College
- September 6—travel to Santiago, DR
- September 10—Spanish Classes begin (FIVE WEEKS living with host families)
- October 13—Travel Week (Fall Break October 18 & 19)
- October 22—Ministry Weeks Begin (EIGHT WEEKS living with host families)
- December 13—Travel Week
- December 18—Return to Bethel
* This schedule is subject to change
Course Information
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MIN 361 | Issues in International Ministries | 3 hours |
| SPAN 351 | Civilizations and Cultures of Latin America | 3 hours |
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN 161 | Elementary Spanish I | 3 hours |
| SPAN 162 | Elementary Spanish II | 3 hours |
| SPAN 261 | Intermediate Spanish | 3 hours |
| SPAN 265 | Textual Proficiency in Spanish | 3 hours |
| SPAN 360 | Advanced Grammar and Composition | 3 hours |
| SPAN 361 | Conversation | 3 hours |
| SPAN 362 | Survey of Latin American Literature | 3 hours |
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN 163 | International Spanish Experience | 3 hours |
| SS 270* | Area Study: Travel | 3 hours |
| SS 374 | Fieldwork in Social Science | 1-4 hours |
| BADM 427 | Internship in Business Administration | 1-4 hours |
| EDUC 204 | Diversity in the Classroom | 3 hours |
| PHED__ | Various Activities (two maximum) | 0.5-1 hour |
| NUR 352 | International Nursing Experience | 3 hours |
| MIN 447 | Internship in International Ministries | 1-4 hours |
*(can be substituted for SPAN 351)
Private Tutorial
You may arrange a private tutorial to be taken during the semester. Each student will be responsible to arrange and communicate with the professor.
Costs
You will pay normal Full Time Tuition (12 to 17 hours), Room and Board (20 meal plan). You will also be responsible to pay for international health insurance and return airfare to the DR. These will be arranged through the Semester Abroad office. Payment to be made by May 1, 2007. Exact amount to be determined.
For More Information
Contact Brent Reimer for more information
