Academic Programs

Students from any college or university studying in Santo Domingo in programs the IERC manages for their home campus can choose from several academic programs. All offer courses for studying the Spanish language and internship or services learning experiences.

Students attending colleges and universities sponsoring their own study abroad programs in Santo Domingo managed by the IERC may choose between plans of study offered by two prestigious universities of the Dominican Republic. Both programs offer courses teaching the Spanish language though experiences in everyday situations. Our program offer gives the students the opportunity to improve and broaden their knowledge through immersion in the urban and university culture.

All participating students may earn 6-9 credits in the summer and 15-18 credits for spring and fall semesters.  Daily life of students is always kept busy with activities. 

Although free time is limited, our programs provide our students the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities offering plenty of “things to do” on campus.

Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra And Universidad del Caribe.

In the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) And Universidad del Caribe (UNICARIBE) students will participate full time in a ten (10) week course during the Fall and Spring. They will attend Spanish classes in the morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Monday to Thursday, and will have exams at all levels every Friday. The six (6) remaining weeks the students will work full-time on their internships or their Service Learning, so that the plan of study will provide opportunities for practice. They will present a final report on their experience at the end of the semester.

The internships and Service Learning offered through the program will be arranged in collaboration with the sponsoring institutions of higher education. The assignments will be based on the interests of the participants and in collaboration with the companies and NGOs in which they serve.

Students can request internships related to their majors, careers and goals. e.g., business, marketing, economics, engineering, tourism, international relations, etc. Internships and Service Learning programs can be tailor-made for students majoring in almost any discipline. Schedule for classes and practical experience are arranged with faculty advisors at the students home campus.

In our study abroad program, students will have a varied schedule.  Two days a week they will have courses in the afternoon on Dominican and Caribbean Culture and African Influences in the Dominican Republic. Every Friday morning they will have exams on the chapters that they have studied.  Friday afternoons will consist of free time for the students, although sometimes they will have cultural trips. There will be a dance class for those interested in participating.

Spanish: 6-9 credits
Dominican and Caribbean Culture: 3 credits
African Heritage: 3 credits
Hispanic Literature: 3 credits
Caribbean Literature: 3 credits
Community Service: 1-3 credits
Internship: 3 credits