Dominican Republic: Beachside Service Adventure
Appreciate the beauty of the island and its people; be a part of sustainable solutions to end its poverty.
Highlights
- Volunteer to implement ecologically sustainable development projects
- Hike through the rainforest to a series of 12 stunning waterfalls
- Ride a catamaran over crystal blue waters
- Meet dynamic leaders implementing cutting edge social programs
- Live steps away from the beach
- Check out an overview video
of the program - Read student blog
: GLA Alum Maile Hartsook shares how the Dominican Republic changed her life when she returned home.
Overview
To most visitors, the Dominican Republic is a travel destination famous for its enchanting resorts and beaches, as well as its friendly and vibrant people. But this Spanish-speaking country on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola is also a destination ripe for change.
You’ll spend ten days working directly with rural communities: in the mountains, helping to build their water systems and homes, and in the lowlands, contributing to reforestation projects. Unmatched natural beauty and human interaction will allow you to share in the spirit and strength of the Dominican people.
- Watch Dr. Dave Addison, our Program Director, talk about GLA Dominican Republic.
Community Service
Students will volunteer in rural and urban communities working on sustainable projects such as reforestation, construction of clean-burning stoves, and installation of water filtration systems. Students will also work with local children at Haitian resettlement villages, sharing their talents doing arts and crafts, playing sports and games, and teaching basic conversational English. Most important, you will be a friend and role model to young children who have limited exposure to the rest of the world.
- Check out Leah’s blog on the people she met in the Caribbean.
Hands-On Learning
Sustainable development has become a necessity for all of humanity. We must learn to live in harmony with our environment. Through the service work and seminars, you will learn how to think about sustainability in the home and life of your family. While living sustainably we will work to empower each other to become more sustainable in our practices. We will also learn about the vibrant Dominican culture – a mix of indigenous, African, and European – through music and dance and interactions with locals living in the villages and coastal communities.
- Listen to GLA Alums Andrea and Pia talk about what they learned in the Dominican.
Adventure
We’ll get out and explore the tropical countryside through long hikes out to a chain of hidden waterfalls, ride a catamaran over the blue Caribbean Sea, and check out the pristine white sand beaches and remote mountain villages. One afternoon we will challenge the children to a game of baseball and learn about the cultural significance of baseball in this country.
- Student blog : GLA Alum Tuyen Truong writes about her adventures on the DR program.
Lodging
The GLA Home Base is a gorgeous beachfront cluster of chalets around a swimming pool near the beach. The lodge is located in a village approximately 30 minutes east of the town of Puerto Plata. Students will be staying in gender segregated chalets. The GLA Home Base is used exclusively by our staff and students. Food will be hearty and healthy, locally grown food that consists of meats, beans, rice, vegetables, and fruit.
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