Dominican Republic

Amazing food and beautiful landscapes

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The country of merengue, bachata and a unique mix of European, African and indigenous populations, Dominicans are proud of their diverse heritage. Known for their great sense of humor, Dominicans will be happy to share with you all the things they consider to be muy dominicano. You’ll feel very welcomed in this island country with the highest mountain in the Caribbean, the deepest valley, rainforests, deserts, swamps and white sand beaches.

Teenagers in the Dominican Republic love to spend time together, and you will be invited to join many activities to make friends. Sports (mainly baseball and basketball) are very popular, as well as taking guitar, dance or art classes. In the evenings, young people enjoy the movies or organize dance parties in their homes.

Host Family & Community

You can be placed anywhere in the Dominican Republic, from small communities to urban centers. Dominicans are often easy going and enjoy helping each other. However, families tend to be very conservative, so consult with your host parents before making decisions or going out with friends. 

School

You will be attending a public or private school, which might provide a scholarship to help pay for your tuition. School runs from August through June, Monday through Friday (8 am to 4 pm). Dominican students wear uniforms to school and each school has a unique uniform. Schools offer extracurricular activities, such as are sports, music, dance and theatre.

Language

The main language spoken in the Dominican Republic is Spanish. Having a basic knowledge of English or Spanish will be an asset, and you can take language lessons if needed.

Food

You should taste the traditional Dominican breakfast or dinner dish called Mangú, a savory puree made of mashed plantains, yucca or auyama, and traditionally served with fried red onions, fried white cheese, eggs or salami. For lunch, the Dominicans often eat la Bandera Dominicana (the Dominican Flag) which consists of white rice, bean stew (black, red or white) and meat.

Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

With over 75 years of experience in student exchanges, we know what we’re doing when it comes to support and education! AFS provides comprehensive orientation for all students and families before, during and after your exchange – AFS volunteers and staff will be there to support and guide you the whole way through. In-person orientation camps in New Zealand and your host country are supplemented by our world-leading online Student Learning Journey, an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to develop essential global skills, learn intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact. This journey will help you maximise your experience, cope with the challenges of navigating a new culture and community, and gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding throughout your time abroad and as you return to your home country. Find out more about our educational expertise here!

Explore the Programmes Available in Dominican Republic