January in Santiago DR

Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic

Study Program

Select a Term...

Dates

Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 16, 2026

3 weeks

Costs

$3,950 See Full Breakdown

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

November 1, 2025

Request Information

Your January in Santiago de los Caballeros program lasts three weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in one ��ý course taught at ��ý Santiago. Enhance your experience with extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Dominican culture. Live and learn in Santiago!

santiago dr students playing a baseball drill

Unique Experiences

Explore the Diverse Environments

by hiking and cycling through breathtaking beaches, rivers, and mountains

Get Captivated by the Local Lifestyle

when you experience Dominican traditions and vibrant street art in the “Heart City”

Enjoy Local Dominican Cuisine

like crispy empanadas and refreshing tropical juices

Your Destination

Santiago de los Caballeros is the Dominican Republic’s vibrant city, celebrated for its mild climate and rich cultural heritage. January is the perfect time to explore iconic landmarks like Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración and Parque Central, and enjoying traditional winter festivities like the Festival del Merengue. Whether you are majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Santiago de los Caballeros is the perfect place to study abroad during winter break.

Program Highlights

Academic Courses: Choose from ��ý courses that align with your academic major.
Immersive Experiences: Participate in activites, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.

Excursions & Activities

��ý’s excursions and cultural activities in Santiago de los Caballeros will open doors for you to explore the Dominican Republic's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.

Samples of past excursions and activities:

Ride the waves while surfing or kitesurfing or chase the thrill of waterfall jumping
Delve into art and history at the renowned Centro León, a cultural hub celebrating Dominican identity through fascinating exhibits
Wander through the UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s historic streets and landmarks

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at ��ý's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.

Program Blogs

santiago de los caballeros dominican republic

From ��ý

Study Abroad Dominican Republic: The Ultimate Guide

By College Study Abroad at ��ý

Envision this: Colorful streets alive with the sounds of merengue, the aroma of mouthwatering street food wafting through the air, and a warm Caribbean breeze that makes every day feel... keep reading

From ��ý

4 Best Dominican Republic Study Abroad Programs

By College Study Abroad at ��ý

Imagine waking up to the sound of ocean waves crashing against golden sands, the scent of fresh tropical fruit filling the air, and a day ahead that could include anything... keep reading

From ��ý

What are the Best Places to Study Abroad in Latin America?

By College Study Abroad at ��ý

If you’re reading this, you’re probably ready to take your college experience to the next level with an extraordinary study abroad adventure. What better way to do than by discovering... keep reading

Housing & Meals

Housing

All students live with ��ý host families. Living with a Dominican family is your ticket to integrating into Santiago de los Caballeros, as it provides an excellent opportunity to immerse into the local culture. Although most families do not speak English, some have been offering their homes to U.S. students for more than 20 years and are used to the cultural exchange.

Homestays: Includes a room in a homestay. Your host family provides a room with a desk, laundry once a week, and Wi-Fi. All homestays are within walking distance (20 to 30-minute walk) of Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) campus and are located close to coffee shops, commercial centers, ATMs, and restaurants. Although single housing is prioritized, students may share a homestay with other ��ý students, depending on availability.  

A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.

Meals

Homestays include three meals per day. Host families and students arrange their own meal schedules. If students miss a meal, they are responsible for either preparing it at home or eating in one of the many restaurants and cafés throughout the city. 

Academics

��ý Santiago DR: Study on the campus of Pontifica Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), just a 15-minute drive from downtown Santiago DR, where you can access restaurants, banks, bookstores, cafés, and more. ��ý Santiago DR sits on PUCMM's campus and boasts a classroom space and a student lounge.

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for ��ý courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and ��ý staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

All students enroll in one 3-credit ��ý course.

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits per session.

Course Credit

��ý courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours per session.

Academic Culture

Each course is a full semester in content, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. ��ý courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards.

The curriculum balances traditional lectures and discussions with enriching co-curricular excursions and hands-on activities, fostering a deeper understanding of the topics covered. Active participation is highly encouraged, allowing students to connect more meaningfully with their peers, instructors, and the local culture.

To make the most of this rewarding experience, we recommend that students dedicate their weekdays to academic and program activities, reserving personal travel for the weekend days off. This approach ensures a seamless blend of rigorous academics and the chance to explore all that Santiago, and the Dominican Republic have to offer. Attendance is mandatory.

Class Format

Courses are for ��ý students only and are taught Monday-Friday, and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas. 

Grading

��ý reports all final course grades to students’ home institutions using a U.S. letter grade equivalent scale of A-F. For ��ý-administered courses, students’ grades are based on attendance, class engagement, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.

To succeed in this academically enriching environment, students should carefully confirm with their professors the exam and project presentation dates. It’s important to note that ��ý does not adjust deadlines or exam schedules for study abroad students with conflicting travel plans, ensuring fairness and consistency across the program.

The course also includes compulsory activities that are integral to the curriculum, paired with special assignments to deepen understanding. Grades are assigned based on the U.S. A-F scale, providing a clear and familiar evaluation system that underscores academic excellence and accountability.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Information

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between ��ý and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at ��ý's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple ��ý sites.

Scholarships & Grants

��ý offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants

To be considered, submit the ��ý Scholarships & Grants application within your ��ý program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with ��ý, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program	Application Due	Start Date	End Date	Fees & Housing
Program January 2026 3 weeks	November 1, 2025	Start Date December 29, 2025	End Date January 16, 2026	Fees & Housing $3,950

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via ��ý's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

��ý offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and ��ý iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation	$300
Educational Costs	$2,770 ^*
Housing	$800
Insurance	$80
Total Fees	$3,950

Financial Aid

��ý offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee	$0 ^†
International Airfare	$600 ^†�Ġ
Local Transportation	$15 ^†�Ġ†
Personal expenses	$137 ^{†�Ġ†�Ġ}
Total Costs	$752

^*direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

^†For students in homestays, families provide all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). For select/select plus option, you should budget approx. $75 per week for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

^†�Ġround-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

^†�Ġ†Most students do independent trips with Uber which is around 1.50 or 2.00 USD per trip.

^{†�Ġ†�Ġ}$100 emergency fund + toiletries + cell phone expense (may vary depending on the plan the student chooses)

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

��ý iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Meals

Our Staff

Lucía Agüero

Center Director

Lucía Agüero is a passionate educator and lifelong learner with over fifteen years of professional experience.

Dr. William Rey

Program Coordinator

Will graduated from the medical school at PUCMM and has gained extensive experience working within the Public Health system, collaborating with both urban and rural communities to improve healthcare access and outcomes.

Randolp Valenzuela

HSSA & College Program Coordinator

Randolp Valenzuela has a degree in electrical technics and has taken numerous courses in business administration and media communication. He has more than a decade of experience coordinating youth camps...

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.