Central Highlands of Dominican Republic - Estimated 20 Service Hours
Meaningful. Sustainable. Unforgettable. Trek into the central highlands of the Dominican Republic where mountainous landscapes, coffee plantations and alpine pastures stretch as far as the eye can see. Explore the area’s rich biodiversity while learning how reforestation and ecotourism efforts have significantly helped replenish the land. As you’re immersed in the local culture, you’ll work together with non-profits and community members to build sustainable solutions to the conservation, economic and social challenges they face.

Your Service Project Themes
We work with local non-profits to better understand the needs of each community and then focus projects on those issues. Themes include: 
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Youth Development
  • Responsible Tourism

Day 1: Arrive in Santo Domingo
Meet your Field Director at the airport and transfer to your accommodations to settle in.

Day 2: Santo Domingo
Take a guided tour of the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, enjoy a scenic ride through the central mountain range to your service project location. 
  • Learn about your specific service work during your project orientation.
  • Take a guided tour of the local community you’ll be serving.
 
Days 3-6: Service Project—Central Mountain region
As communities evolve so do their needs. We’ll work closely with area non-profits and community members to better understand local challenges. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here’s a glimpse at what a typical day might look like. 
  • Each morning, you’ll begin your environmentally focused service project in a nearby village.
  • Spend afternoons immersed in cultural activities.
  • Evenings are a chance to reflect, discuss events as a group, and draw connections between the day’s work and relevant global issues.
 
Day 7: National Marine Park—North Cost region 
Take a guided tour of a national marine park where tropical plants and beaches abound. Enjoy the turquoise waters and magnificent coral reefs as you swim and snorkel your way around the park. 

Day 8: Depart for home 

Your Service Project Themes
We work with local non-profits to better understand the needs of each community and then focus projects on those issues. Themes include: 
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Youth Development
  • Responsible Tourism

Day 1: Arrive in Santo Domingo
Meet your Field Director at the airport and transfer to your accommodations to settle in.

Day 2: Santo Domingo
Take a guided tour of the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, enjoy a scenic ride through the central mountain range to your service project location. 
  • Learn about your specific service work during your project orientation.
  • Take a guided tour of the local community you’ll be serving.
 
Days 3-6: Service Project—Central Mountain region
As communities evolve so do their needs. We’ll work closely with area non-profits and community members to better understand local challenges. Since projects are determined closer to your actual tour date, here’s a glimpse at what a typical day might look like. 
  • Each morning, you’ll begin your environmentally focused service project in a nearby village.
  • Spend afternoons immersed in cultural activities.
  • Evenings are a chance to reflect, discuss events as a group, and draw connections between the day’s work and relevant global issues.
 
Day 7: National Marine Park—North Cost region 
Take a guided tour of a national marine park where tropical plants and beaches abound. Enjoy the turquoise waters and magnificent coral reefs as you swim and snorkel your way around the park. 

Day 8: Depart for home 


Learning outcomes on this program

Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness


EF Global Learning Model Post-Study Abroad Learning Resources
Academic resources

With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions
  • Sample assignments
  • Journal prompts
  • Webinars
  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development
See the resources you get
EF Global Learning Model Post-Study Abroad Learning Resources
Academic resources


With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions
  • Sample assignments
  • Journal prompts
  • Webinars
  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development

See the resources you get


Your experience includes

  • Round-trip airfare & transportation

    Your flights—covered. Ground transportation—covered. We take care of getting you around so you can enjoy the ride.

  • Accommodations

    Safe, comfortable hotels with private bathrooms will be waiting for you at your destination.

  • Regional Meals

    Daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included in your program. Traditional meals bring local flavors to life as part of your program experience.

  • Full-time Field Director

    Your bilingual, culturally connected Field Director stays with you 24/7 to handle all on-trip logistics and facilitates post-project reflection activities.

  • Service Hours

    Earn service hours that count towards academic credit.

  • Volunteer and Leadership Activities

    Participate in volunteer, leadership, action planning and social issue activities.

  • End-to-end Support

    Your team helps to secure administrative approval and academic credit, provides recruiting tools and helps establish your program's ongoing presence on campus.

  • EF Global Learning Toolkit

    To capitalize on moments for building empathy, awareness, and adaptability in a global environment, we offer a number of different tools designed to help educators facilitate student growth abroad and on campus, including academically enriched travel programs, industry engagement opportunities, global learning resources, and a Global Competencies Assessment tool.

  • Worldwide support, safety and security

    EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide. We provide 24-hour emergency support service along with a comprehensive $50 million liability policy that covers you and your institution while abroad.

  • Flexible Payment Options

    Give more students the opportunity to study abroad by offering them two different payment plan options, along with our TripFunder website to help fundraise for the program.


Programs in real life

EF College Study Tours Instagram page     Instagram →

EF College Study Tours Facebook page     Facebook →

EF College Study Tours blog page     Blog →

Programs in real life

EF College Study Tours Instagram page     Instagram →

EF College Study Tours Facebook page     Facebook →

EF College Study Tours blog page     Blog →

Z