The InteRDom program will continue its strong relationship with the University of Rhode Island this January, providing an education program exploring cultural, political and social elements of Dominican society for a group of nursing students during a 2-week service learning trip.
The 14 participants will travel to Santo Domingo on January 17, 2012 during the final leg of their trip, in order to participate in a 4-day agenda of activities that will enhance their understanding of the society and people of the country in which they have been performing their service learning. The agenda includes tours of the historic Colonial Zone, the Dominican Congress and the Mirabal Sisters’ Museum, as well as lectures and activities with experts on Dominican history and Carnaval culture.
The highlight of the agenda will be a special networking dialogue where students will meet with local and international public health professionals to learn more about what projects and programs are already operating and what opportunities exist in their field of study. The event will feature the participation of the Dominican Association of Nurses, as well as USAID and other international agencies.
Complementing InteRDom’s agenda of activities will be special sessions coordinated by the program leaders, whose diverse expertise in a wide range of subject areas from Latin American political science to global public health to humanitarian aid will broaden and deepen students’ knowledge of all of the topics explored by the program. Enthusiastic faculty and advisors are essential to every aspect of a successful international program, from its conception and development to the recruitment of participants to executing an often rigorous and thought-provoking agenda.
This program will be the second collaboration bringing URI students to the Dominican Republic through the InteRDom program. URI has also participated in the positive promotion of the country in the greater Providence community through their participation in the New Perspectives photo exhibit last October.
The internship program, InteRDom, an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), is the premier internship, research and academic study program in the Dominican Republic. It offers international students the opportunity to research important topics at the forefront of the United Nations agenda, obtain professional experience by interning with Dominican organizations and businesses related to their fields of study and/or earn academic credits by taking courses and seminars at a local university.