Santiago (1,000,000) is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic and the economic center of the fertile Cibao Valley. The Septentrional mountain range is visible from most points of the city. The Yaque River flows through en route to the Atlantic Ocean, a mere one hour bus ride to the north. The city has a relaxed and refined atmosphere and also boasts the most vibrant Carnival in the country. Whether strolling though the shopping district of the Calle del Sol or dancing to the rhythms of merengue, Santiago has much to offer every taste and lifestyle.
Remember that you may combine ELAP with an ISA study abroad program. To learn more about our academic programs in Santiago please click here.
Current placements in Santiago:
(Click on the titles to read more)
Individual Placements
Technical School
Teach beginner level English classes for a variety of age groups. Prepare educational materials for the subjects that the students will cover. Volunteers assist with the class or can choose to teach the class on their own. This is a wonderful placement for those looking for the opportunity to manage their own classroom.
Children’s Dining Hall
Mentor and support children who visit the dining hall for the food, education, and healthcare it provides. Volunteers can choose to teach classes in English, first aid, and arts and crafts, as well as participate in physical education activities. Volunteers may help during lunchtime to serve food and assist with clean up.
Pharmacy
Help with providing low-cost medications to surrounding communities of Santiago. Volunteers are needed in the warehouse when the medications arrive to sort, organize, and distribute to the smaller pharmacies. Volunteers can also tend to patients who purchase medications at the warehouse as well as assist with invoice preparation, inventory management, and translations of the instructions on the medications. Volunteers work very closely with staff at the warehouse.
Blind Institute
Accompany the staff as they conduct visits during the orientation, rehabilitation and prevention programs of the institute. Volunteers will help with the training of patients to enable them to complete their daily activities independently. The organization provides many services to its patients including medical treatment, training with Braille and other techniques to compensate for loss of sight and foster independence.
Medical Clinic
Offer clinic consultations and initiate health operatives in communities and at popular pharmacies. Volunteers will consult with patients, assist doctors and nurses, take blood pressure, height and weight, and provide basic medication information. This placement is ideal for students in the nursing or pre-med fields.
Conservation Institution
Experience the various aspects of environmental conservation. Educate the public about conservation efforts. Work with schools to plant trees and increase awareness about out impact on the environment. Gain an understanding of what goes on behind the scenes of a conservation organization by assisting in the office.
All individual placement participants complete an
ELAP Portfolio as part of their program.
Group Placements
Children's Recreational Center
Make a positive living and learning environment for at-risk children living in one of the most underserved neighborhoods in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Children from 5-10 years old, including some who are Haitian immigrants, come to this center for meals, classes and extra curricular activities. ELAP's Summer Group Project is to build a playground and garden that will help these children live a more active and healthy lifestyle. Vegetables produced in the garden will later be used as ingredients for meals served in the
comedor. Volunteers will also interact with the children on a daily basis by playing games, organizing arts and crafts activities and teaching English. Open-mindedness and a willingness to serve are essential requirements for all participants. All projects are subject to change.
To learn more about the ELAP Group Projects, click here.
