Dominican Republic

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.

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.

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.

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.