Dominican Nom Noms!

Memory is a funny thing. Sometimes it seems the most unusual thing triggers a long buried memory. For me, the trigger was trying to describe the fruit here. And, the memory was a children’s book: The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear. I think the title sufficiently tells the plot, but what I remembered is in this story; the Big Hungry Bear smells this strawberry from miles away. I believe this story is actually an allegory. The authors were clearly relaying their experience with Caribbean fruit! The bear is the gringo, the strawberry is pineapple, passion fruit or mango and the great lengths the bear goes to steal the strawberry... Read More

Running

I seem to be encountering a lot of running here. Today it was running to work after I took the wrong share taxi! Sometimes it is a few miles in the park, but what I want to talk about is metaphorical. Let me explain: I am not a runner. I can run, but it isn’t pretty and it doesn’t feel pretty (see the picture below from a 5k I ran/walked). But, running makes the perfect analogy for speaking a foreign language. In my race, the first few miles weren’t too bad. But, it grew harder until eventually I felt like I was inhaling fire and pushing my legs through daggers. It took every ounce of... Read More

An Introduction

Hey guys, Since this is my first blog post on here, I’ll introduce myself quickly. I’m Sarah. I’m from Rhode Island (10 points for every northeast word you catch in my posts). I finished my bachelor’s degree where I studied Political Science and I’m going to start my master’s degree in International Development and Economics in the fall. I want to work in economic development. Today, I think I’ll answer a few FAQ’s: Where are you going again? The Dominican Republic – I’ll be in the capital city, Santo Domingo. It shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti. What language do they speak there? Do you know it? They speak Spanish. Though like English, different... Read More

Au Revoir Dominican Republic

In all seriousness, the Dominican Republic is the most beautiful country in the world. I may be completely biased but the atmosphere here is so full of life everywhere you go and the ecosystems you encounter are so diverse that I believe there is space for every inhabitant of the planet in this little island. My family and I set sail on a short four-day trip towards the South after I had found the way in which to ask, in the most diplomatic matter possible, for two days off of work. My boss joked and said: “Well Giselle, if you leave us, I’ll make sure someone fires you”; of course he said this just before... Read More

My Weekend Getaway

Whenever I plan a weekend trip to disappear from all the craziness at home, I usually carefully plan-out where I’m staying, where I’m going and when. This time, I didn’t make any plans. In fact, another intern thought it would be a great idea to go to the 27 waterfalls (or charcos) as a weekend trip. I had no idea what this was going to be like, since the intern (Krysta) had planned out every detail without my help. Once we got to Cabarete I immediately noticed all the European tourists. I am genuinely surprised by the amount of Europeans that come to the Dominican Republic as tourists and workers. This includes, Italians, French, British... Read More

Time has flown by and the end is near

By: Alexandria Rogers InteRDom Correspondent, Alexandria, has completed three years of her Bachelor's degree in Sports Administration and Spanish at the University of Miami, Florida. She is participating in the 2013 10-week Caribbean Summer Program. You can read more about Alexandria and her participation in the Correspondent Program here. With a little less than two weeks left in the country, I cannot believe my time here has gone by so quickly! While I am excited to see my friends and family again in the US, I cannot help but feel sad to have to leave the friends that I have met here, socially and at work, and this beautiful country that has been my home... Read More

Category: travel

A Grateful Community and Dramatic Weather

InteRDom Correspondent, Alexandria, has completed three years of her Bachelor's degree By: Alexandria Rogers in Sports Administration and Spanish at the University of Miami, Florida. She is participating in the 2013 10-week Caribbean Summer Program. You can read more about Alexandria and her participation in the Correspondent Program here. These past 2 weeks since my last blog post have definitely been busy, both at work and socially. I am continuing to enjoy my time here and cannot wait for more that is to come! Last Monday, the San Diego Padres hosted a community event in Najayo, Dominican Republic. With the help of the community department of the MLB office in Santo Domingo, with whom I... Read More

In my element

InteRDom Correspondent, Kim, has completed three years of her Bachelor's degree in Film By: Kim Sanchez and Video at the Visual Arts College at the University of Toledo in Ohio. She is participating in the 2013 10-week Caribbean Summer Program. You can read more about Kim and her participation in the Correspondent Program here. We went to Constanza on Sunday for a three mile hike and it was the best time! I had so much fun. I love hiking and being outdoors, but I made sure to shower myself with mosquito repellent first. I love mountains. I never see them back home. Some day I will climb taller mountains, but this was a nice day... Read More

The Two Extremes

By: Carlos Gonzalez InteRDom Correspondent, Carlos, has completed three years of his Bachelor's degree in Political Science at St. Peter's University in New Jersey. He is participating in the 2013 10-week Caribbean Summer Program. You can read more about Carlos and his participation in the Correspondent Program here. Santo Domingo has offered me a wide range of fun experiences. I am amazed by the city’s lively nightlife, great restaurants and an unlimited option of malls on all corners of the city. There is definitely something to be said about the economic flow occurring in Santo Domingo. But as I am witnessing the perks of Santo Domingo residents, I am also witnessing the contrast with the Dominican... Read More

Orgullo

By: Ikenna Okoro InteRDom Correspondent, Ikenna, has recently completed his undergraduate studies in Biology at the University of Miami, Florida and is participating in the 2013 10-week Graduate and Gap Year Program. You can read more about Ikenna and his participation in the Correspondent Program here. As a research assistant for Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud, I am conducting a study of health system efficiencies in Santo Domingo. To fulfill this goal, I have been shadowing physicians in a neighboring community, La Barquita. The citizens of La Barquita cannot afford and do not live close to major hospitals, therefore access to medical services is difficult. In the program that I am following, a... Read More