Young Women's Leadership in the Dominican Republic

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Sosua

Depart from the USA and arrive in the Dominican Republic for your ACIS Women’s Leadership Program. Meet your ACIS Tour Manager at the airport in Santiago and transfer to Sosua to check into your oceanfront hotel before a welcome orientation and dinner. All meals are included during your tour.

Day 2: Sosua

Start off the day with breakfast at the hotel and perhaps a walk, run or swim at the beach. Then begin your first leadership workshop at the Dominican Republic Education And Mentoring Project (DREAM). DREAM grew from the vision of a group of Dartmouth students looking to make a difference in 1995, and was formally established as a 501(c) nonprofit in 2002. DREAM currently staffs more than 40 Dominicans, four expatriates and numerous volunteers from across the globe, all working together to change the lives of over 6,000 children a year. During this workshop you will see how the project came together and learn what it takes for a female leader to be successful in this field. During your next leadership workshop this afternoon, meet with a program coordinator at Deportes Para La Vida (Sports for Life) to learn about the work she does to foster youth awareness of public health issues and community engagement through outreach, monitoring and evaluation. After, enjoy a Global Exchange focused on comparative learning and sharing dynamics with the UNICA Young Women’s Youth Group (YWYG). This evening's highlight is a leisurely boat ride down the Yasica River that concludes at a bonfire dinner on the beach.

Day 3: Sosua

This morning meet with your group to debrief about your first day’s experience. Following breakfast, today’s leadership workshop is with a female leader at Health Horizons International (HHI). The mission of HHI is to provide quality health care to underserved patients of the Dominican Republic and to build local capacity for achieving improved community health. You'll learn about HHI's model for empowering local health care leaders, strengthening primary care and promoting health education and prevention programs. After lunch discover the local marine life first-hand as you enjoy snorkeling with colorful tropical fish around the reefs in Sosua Bay.

Day 4: Samana

This morning pack up your bags and depart after breakfast for the beautiful area of Samaná. Enjoy lunch before your leadership workshop and presentation with conservationist Kim Beddall, founder of Whales Samaná. An animal advocate and conservationist, Kim will share with you her passion for marine mammals and tell her story of the creation of the environmentally-conscious Whales Samaná—the first commercial whale watching organization in an area now considered to be one of the world’s top ten destinations to observe threatened, North Atlantic humpback whales. Enjoy dinner tonight as you discuss today’s experience and the long term economic, cultural and ecologic impacts tourism will have on the Dominican Republic.

Day 5: Santo Domingo

After breakfast at the hotel you’ll have the chance to give back to the community during a local service project. The project will be environmentally based and specific tasks will depend on current needs. Following lunch you will journey to Santo Domingo and check into your hotel located in the city’s historic and charming Colonial Zone. After a walking tour to get oriented, enjoy dinner as a group.

Day 6: Santo Domingo

During breakfast at the hotel, prepare for this morning’s leadership workshop and presentation at Movimiento de Mujeres Dominico-Haitianas (MUDHA). Learn about MUDHA’s mission to improve the living conditions of vulnerable communities—especially for Dominican women and children of Hatian descent—while implementing human development programs including health programs, legal assistance, and human rights initiatives. Then students will enjoy a Global Exchange focused on comparative learning and sharing dynamics with students from Anaisas School Drama Group, followed by lunch together. Later spend time exploring the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo.

Day 7: Santo Domingo

Maximize your final day abroad, starting with a Chu-Chu Colonial historical train tour through the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Cultural Site and the historic central area of Santo Domingo. See the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, the Ozama Fortress overlooking the river, the Franciscan Monastery ruins and other historic sites. After lunch you’ll further explore and apply your new knowledge of the city during an exhilarating "Amazing Race" style Culture Quest activity that tests what you've learned on the trip. Tonight’s highlight is a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Enjoy authentic Dominican fare with your fellow classmates as you recap the previous eight days of amazing and unique leadership learning experiences.

Day 8: Departure

Depart for the USA.