Study Abroad Study Abroad in the Dominican Republic: Public Health and Spanish

Global Initiatives

Contact

Email
global@tc3.edu
Phone
607.844.8211 x4522
Toll-Free
888.567.8211 x4522

Global Initiatives
Tompkins Cortland Community College
170 North Street, P.O. Box 139
Dryden, NY 13053

Location

Main Campus
248

Hours

  • MON  8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • TUE  8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • WED  8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • THU  8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • FRI  8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • SAT  Closed
  • SUN  Closed

On this transformative trip, you will spend two weeks in Santiago de los Caballeros, studying Spanish and exploring the Dominican approach to health and wellness through interactions with students and faculty at PUCMM, clinical experiences, and public health tours in the Santiago region. Join us to learn more about health and wellness and make a positive impact on underserved communities in Santiago. You will stay in a Dominican home with a Dominican family, eating home-cooked food every day!
 

Dates

  • Registration: November 2024 - January 2025
  • Coursework: Spring 2025
    • HLTH216 Field Work in Public Health
      Fulfills Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice GenEd
    • SPAN149 Special Topics in Spanish
  • Trip: May 25 - June 6, 2025

Requirements

  • Open to all students with an interest in learning Spanish, learning more about Dominican culture, and an interest in health systems. This course is particularly appropriate for students in nursing, chemical dependency, human services, biology, sociology, and general studies.
  • Language Requirements: None, just a willingness to learn.
  • GPA Requirements: Students must be in good academic standing.
  • Travel Fee: $3400. 
    • 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

Sue Mueller is an assistant professor of nursing with a strong interest in public health and social determinants of health. Sue was a part of the college’s .study abroad to Nicaragua in the past. 
Email Sue: sdm017@tc3.edu

Christine Evans is an adjunct professor of Spanish. She loves learning about Dominican culture and food and is excited to lead this trip! 
Email Christine: Cae2@tc3.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