Dominican Republic: Santiago

In cooperation with the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), Lewis & Clark offers this study program at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), Santiago Campus, which focuses on the history, culture, and current socioeconomic and political issues in the Dominican Republic. The program includes a week-long orientation that features discussions about the culture, history, and practices that are particular to the Dominican Republic, as well as other practical information about the program and country. This program also features an optional practicum in which students gain exposure to development issues and social service programs. Students gain a better understanding of Dominican society and improve their Spanish language proficiency by taking part in the CIEE Community Language Commitment and speaking Spanish at all times. Ongoing support is provided by CIEE Santiago staff on an individual and group basis throughout the study abroad program.

Santiago de los Caballeros is a city surrounded by mountains in the lush valley of the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic. Known as the “City of the Heart,” this commercial and cultural center known for its relaxed and refined atmosphere—as well as the most vibrant celebration of Carnival in the country. While studying in Santiago, you can explore the commercial street of Calle del Sol, visit one of the more than 100 industrial free trade zone factories in the area, and learn to dance the meringue.

Requirements Fulfilled:

General Education - This program fulfills the Global Perspectives general education requirement for students who successfully complete 8 or more semester credits. 

Major / Minor Requirements - This program fulfills the overseas study requirement for the Latin American Studies and the Hispanic Studies minor.

Credits: Credit earned varies based on courses completed. Students may earn up to 19 credits. Overloads are not permitted. 

Curriculum: Students may take a maximum of 16 credits at PUCMM, including a Spanish language course; the program’s core course, Contemporary Dominican Republic: Political and Socioeconomic Processes; and PUCMM’s elective courses.  Based on the results of an on-site language proficiency examination at the beginning of the program, students are placed into one of three advanced language levels, which determines the required language course and electives they may take.  A sampling of the courses and course descriptions are available on the CIEE Santiago Liberal Arts program page under the Academics tab.

Excursions: The program offers an extensive agenda of educational excursions throughout the country and provides weekly calendars of local socio-cultural activities in Santiago and the surrounding area. Offerings include rural and urban volunteer opportunities, numerous day trips, and class trips designed to supplement classroom content. Past weekend excursions have included visits to the Valley of Constanza, the Samaná Peninsula, the Bonao area, and Playa Ensenada. Day trips include visits to sites such as the Capital and its Zona Colonial; the Hermanas Mirabal Museum in Salcedo; La Vega during Carnaval season; and to the market town of Dajabón, the principal commercial and economic development zone on the Haitian-Dominican border.

Many field trips are also integrated into academic classes. These may include visits to agricultural and industrial areas, free trade zones, a Dominican tobacco company, local museums, clinics, schools, and nonprofit organizations.

Housing: Students live in private Dominican homes with families and meals are eaten at the place of residence. The families all live within walking distance of PUCMM. Students and their families are asked to speak Spanish exclusively.

Extracurricular activities: Students have access to a variety of activities offered weekly, including volunteer work, day trips, class trips, helping with PUCMM events like heath promotions and educational fairs, and more. 

2026-2027 Fee Breakdown*

Total Fee (includes Tuition, Program Fee, and Health & Wellness Fee): $44,791

Tuition: $35,329

Program Fee: $9,425

Health & Wellness Fee: $37**

Included in the program fee are room/housing, board/meals, and administrative fees. Not included are airfare, passport and visa expenses, primary insurance coverage, photographs, books, immunizations, and incidentals. 

*Fees are updated every February for the following academic year.

**The Health & Wellness Fee supports the operations of Wellness Services staff in delivering pre-program orientation services, as well as in providing health-related consultation regarding participant health needs. All students in the College of Arts and Sciences pay a mandatory fee of $37 per semester.

Stipend: Students will receive a stipend to cover the cost of meals and transportation costs not covered by the program fee.

Estimated Airfare (Round Trip PDX to STI): $500 - $1,000

Estimated Travel Document Fees: $200 - $250

Estimated Health Insurance Fee: $1,906

All students participating in overseas programs are automatically enrolled in iNext, a supplemental travel insurance program. The fee for iNext is covered in the program cost. However, students are also required to have comprehensive health insurance during their time abroad. All students participating in overseas programs, both abroad and domestic, are automatically enrolled in the College’s student health insurance program. Similar to a regular semester on-campus, students participating in overseas programs may waive enrollment in the student health insurance program if they have other comprehensive health insurance (e.g., through a parent, guardian or employer) that 1) provides coverage for them in the geographic region in which they will be studying and 2) includes mental health benefits. Find more information regarding health insurance & overseas programs.

Physical Requirements:

Before applying to this program, you should assess and determine if you are physically and/or emotionally able to participate in the following physical demands required by some of this program’s activities:

• Walking or hiking up to 5 miles in a day, sometimes for two or more days in a row, sometimes on hilly, uneven, cobbled, or unpaved terrain
• Climbing and descending stairs
• Using public transportation, including sometimes crowded buses or trains
• Standing for long periods during tours and site visits
• Entering into older buildings with narrow and sometimes steep staircases, at times with limited or no access to elevators
• The possibility of warm/hot temperatures while residing in locations without air conditioning, and/or cold temperatures while residing in locations with a comfort for lower indoor temperatures
• The possibility of long, busy days with little downtime and infrequent days off from program activities
• Heightened consideration for food and water safety
• Certain vaccinations are highly recommended. Please consult with a travel health clinic

If you have questions or are concerned about these or any other program activities, please contact the Lewis & Clark College Overseas & Off-Campus Programs office (overseas@lclark.edu).

Application Process: This program has a dual application process. Student must first submit a Lewis & Clark Application. Once admitted by Lewis & Clark, the students will receive instructions for submitting their secondary application to CIEE and will receive a separate notification letter of admittance.  Please keep a digital copy of your essays and other application materials as you will need to submit these similar materials to CIEE. Please note that this secondary application process can be as late as the semester preceding your scheduled participation.

Applications are due one year before the start of the program. Learn more about our application process.

Travel: Students usually fly into Cibao International airport (STI), where they are met by CIEE Santiago staff and transported to the program orientation or homestays.

Visa: Students may be required to apply for a visa in order to participate in this program. More information will be provided upon admission to the program.

Country-Specific Health Information: View specific health information for people traveling to the Dominican Republic.

State Department Country Information: Visit the State Department’s Dominican Republic page.