Posted By: Career Enrichment Network
Photos and content contributed by Shana-Kay Hart, who studies Communication Arts and Sciences, Spanish and Sociology.
Shana-Kay Hart spent last Spring studying abroad in the Dominican Republic, the program she took part in, is one of the many re-opened programs for Spring 2017. If you are still interested in studying abroad next Spring, the deadline to apply is September 15, 2016. Find out more here.
I took part in the CIEE Santiago Dominican Republic Liberal Arts program in Spring 2016. I was initially interested in going to the Dominican Republic because I wanted to learn more about the relationship between the Dominican Republic and its neighbor Haiti. The island of Hispaniola has been one full of complex history and I was very interested in taking classes to gain further insight on the issues plaguing the two countries. I think studying abroad in the Dominican Republic offers a different experience in comparison to say, studying abroad in Spain. Whereas in many cities in Spain, English is widely spoken, this is not so much the case in the DR. I liked this aspect because I was able to feel much more immersed in the culture and the language of the country. Secondly, because the DR is so close to other islands, I was able to take advantage of this and easily traveled to both Haiti and Cuba during my time abroad. Furthermore, I believe the country just has such a culture that can only be found in these Latin American countries and they possess certain qualities that bigger, European countries lack.
I chose to study abroad Spring semester 2016 of my sophomore year because studying abroad has always been a dream of mine and I hope to be able to complete another program before graduating. Also, it was nice to get away from the snow.
My program offered a very hands-on approach regarding involvement in the community. We were presented with opportunities to have language partners, participate in rural work retreats, volunteer a local schools or organizations and exposure to rural neighborhoods, all of which I believe contributed to my overall experience in a positive way by shedding light on the importance of understanding the reality of a country you enter.
After completing my undergraduate studies at Penn State, I hope to attend graduate school or begin working. I hope to either work for the United Nations or Teach for America after graduating. Furthermore, I aspire to begin my own organization or education center, first in Jamaica and hopefully in other islands such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Last summer, I organized a fundraiser for an education center in Kingston, Jamaica. This encouraged me to further continue these activities in order to provide assistance to children who are struggling to finish their education due to lack of school supplies or the means to do so. After my time here in the Dominican Republic, seeing so many young children who are unable to access the education I believe we all deserve further encourages me to pursue creating my own education center (or something close) and to work for organizations that deal with providing and bettering educational opportunities for children around the world.
I received support from the College of the Liberal Arts that I will forever be grateful for. From Enrichment Funding that helped cover some of my fees, to an amazing staff of advisors that were always available to help me through the process before my departure and even after my arrival in the Dominican Republic. I wouldn’t have been able to have the experience of a lifetime without the support of the College of Liberal Arts. I think it’s important for students considering going abroad to know that there will be ups and downs during your experience. I feel as though with a few of the study abroad blogs I’ve read, many students choose to talk about the good things and not so much about the lows. There will be days when you miss your family and friends and have the desire to go home. There will be days when you may become frustrated with yourself for not being able to adjust as quickly and easily as you had expected. But these lows are insignificant to the highs. Studying abroad is an indescribable experience and you will come out on the other side of it a different person.
I lived with a homestay family, something I would definitely recommend for anyone who wants to learn a new language or hone their fluency. I think what made my study abroad experience so special and rewarding was living with the family I had. I didn’t expect to get as close to them as I did, but they became a big part of my daily life and contributed to my overall study abroad experience. Besides that, to anyone considering studying abroad I would say definitely do it. Do everything you can to study abroad because it is an experience I believe far too many people overlook. You will have the most amazing time of your life, meeting new people, doing new things and being exposed to a different culture in a way some people only dream of.
Academically, this experience changed the way I view my education. Here in the Dominican Republic, they value collectivism whereas in the United States, individualism is more so valued. Throughout my time here, I have learned more about teamwork and interacting with people more than I ever had at any point in my life. I have learned the importance of asking for help, accepting help and working with others in order to achieve a goal or complete a task. Furthermore, because of the structure of the program and how our classes are scheduled for us, I have learned how to be flexible. It was a little hard at first to manage schoolwork with social activities, because we take many excursions and we are here to participate as much as possible in the Dominican culture. Eventually, though, I adapted and was able to balance my requirements.
Since I am a Liberal Arts student, I took many classes that reflect upon the liberal arts aspect of a study abroad program. I took a Dominican Dance and Folklore class where I was able to learn how to Merengue, Bachata and Salsa! Learning how to dance these dances has always been a dream of mine, but I was always too nervous or shy to look into it. At our going away program party, my dance class and I performed our routines in front of everyone: something I never would have envisioned myself doing. This taught me that I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to and that my only hindrance is my fear!
Liberal Arts Enrichment Funding from the College, this funding is available to all students with at least one major in the College. To learn more about study abroad, be sure to attend the Education Abroad Fair this Fall, taking place in the HUB on October, 12 from 11am-4pm. You can also schedule an appointment with Jackie Smith (jds54@psu.edu ), Global Experiences Coordinator on Network Symplicity