Study Abroad Study Abroad in the Dominican Republic: Food Systems, Culture & Cuisine

Study Abroad Food Systems

Are you curious about what a resilient local food system in another culture looks like?

Join us as we explore the rich history, and food ways of the second largest island in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic. Highlights of this cultural immersion course include: a visit to the Zona Colonial with a walking tour of sights and flavors of Santo Domingo, cooking classes with local chefs, a visit to the countryside to explore permaculture, sustainability and agri-tourism, tour the production of cacao, coffee, cigars and rum, among many other cultural experiences.

Dates

  • Registration: In the preceding spring.
  • Coursework: Fall semester late start 10-week course
    • ENVS112 - Food Systems III: Identity, Ethics, and Culture
      satisfies SUNY Humanities and DEISJ requirement and is required prerequisite for co-enrollment
    • HRMG220 - Explore Culture and Cuisine - Study Away
    • SUNY requirements satisfied
  • Trip: Early January (approximately 11 days)

Requirements

  • Open to all disciplines
  • Language Requirements: None
  • GPA Requirements: at the discretion of the faculty leaders, but student must be in good academic standing.
  • Travel Fee: $3500. 
    • Fee includes airfare, in-country transportation, lodging, most meals (students will be responsible for some lunches), entrance fees.
    • Fee does not include passport fees, any vaccinations needed, personal spending money, tuition (included in fall course load), and any applicable baggage handling fees imposed by the airline or entry/exit fees.

 

What to expect in the Dominican Republic

  • Temperatures are consistently 80° and above, and many activities take place in full sun
  • Long, full days away from accommodations
  • Mostly group activities, including meals
  • Lots of walking, mostly city streets, but also rural and farm conditions
  • Mosquitos and bugs in some areas

Faculty Trip Leaders

Amanda Bisson 
Associate Professor of Culinary Arts and Sustainable Farming and Food Systems 
Amanda co-teaches both ENVS112 and HRMG220 with Todd. Amanda loves to travel and share the experience of global culture and cuisine with students. 
Email Amanda: agb010@tompkinscortland.edu

Todd McLane
Adjunct Associate Professor of Sustainable Farming and Food Systems and Culinary Arts 
Todd co-teaches both ENVS112 and HRMG220 with Amanda. Todd has a passion for all things food systems and is excited to give students a tangible experience of a local food system in another country. 
Email Todd: tm1@tompkinscortland.edu

Pre-Departure Forms

Instructions are printed on each form. Global Initiatives Staff can answer your questions by email at global@tompkinscortland.edu or in person in room 248.

Study Abroad FAQs

How do I get started?
  1. Meet with your academic advisor early to talk about where study abroad fits best in your academic program.
  2. Meet with a faculty trip leader for details on the course and the trip; Learn about the enrollment process. Faculty determine that process and the criteria for admitting students into their study abroad courses, so this is a very important step!
  3. Make an appointment with Financial Aid, room 101 as soon as you have been admitted to a program or to find out if aid will cover any of the travel fee.
  4. Apply for your passport (it takes several months).
  5. Register for the appropriate course. Enroll in November for spring courses, in April for fall courses.
  6. Begin to save your money and explore scholarship options.
  7. Submit all pre-departure documents and payments ON TIME and
  8. Attend mandatory Pre-Departure Orientations
What if I want to travel to a country where TC3 does not have a program? Or, what if I want to study different subject matter than what is available at TC3 when I study abroad?

Explore programs offered through other SUNY campuses. (This list may not be up to date, so we encourage you to go directly to the specific SUNY college’s study abroad page for the latest information.)

Also, TC3 has an exchange partnership with SUNY Cortland, so TC3 students can explore SUNY Cortland’s more than 30 study abroad programs on six continents. For more information on their current opportunities, visit the SUNY Cortland study abroad website.

Can a community member, TC3 employee, or non-matriculated student participate in Study Abroad?

See individual trip descriptions below for the contact information of the faculty leaders of the trip that interests you, and contact them directly.

What are some ways I can fund my study abroad experience?

The Tompkins Cortland Foundation’s Study Abroad Scholarship was established to support the mission of the College to graduate globally aware citizens by lessening the financial burden for students wishing to participate in study abroad opportunities. Recipients “must be enrolled in an appropriate study abroad course and be in good academic standing with the College.” Please note that this award does not cover the entire travel fee but typically offers a few hundred dollars. Priority is given to students with financial need. To apply, simply be admitted to a study abroad course and follow the instructions for being considered for a Foundation Scholarship within the study abroad application. Be sure to submit all required elements by the announced deadline in order to be considered.

The Gilman Scholarship — The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. This program requires more advance planning and a little more work but winners tend to see a generous return of their time and effort.

Other funding opportunities