Marine Conservation in the Dominican Republic
8 days
Southern Coast Region - Estimated 18 Service Hours
Meaningful. Sustainable. Unforgettable. Journey to the Dominican Republic to discover the wonders of marine life—and what you can do to help preserve it. Here, you’ll learn about the effects of overfishing, tourism, and climate change on coral reef in the Caribbean before joining the movement to support its restoration. Working together with community members, you’ll collect fragments of naturally broken coral and transplant them back into the reef, and do your part to preserve this important ecosystem. As you foster meaningful relationships within the community, you’ll celebrate customs and help continue conservation efforts for generations to come.
Your Service Project Themes
Day 2: Service Project—Boca Chica coral conservation
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
- Responsible Tourism
- Cultural Immersion and Diversity
Day 1: Arrive in Santo Domingo
Meet your Field Director at the airport. After you arrive at your accommodations, settle in and meet your group for an orientation and safety overview.
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That’s why we work closely with non-profits to better understand the local challenges. Since projects are determined closer to your actual program date, here’s a glimpse at what a typical day might look like:
- Transfer to Boca Chica.
- Meet EF's partner organization and learn how it is working to improve the state of coral reef in the Dominican Republic.
- Discuss coral reef biology and restoration practices.
- Practice snorkeling techniques as you learn how to identify local species of fish and gather scientific data within marine ecosystems.
Day 3: Boca Chica
- Process scientific data gathered during a coral reef restoration campaign.
- Explore a mangrove ecosystem.
Day 4: Boca Chica
- Meet a community association to learn about the evolution of fishing and ecotourism as you explore the social dynamics of marine conservation.
- Explore a coral reef nursery and participate in local ecotourism activities, such as kayaking.
- Participate in a mangrove reforestation project.
Day 5: Boca Chica
- Explore the importance of environmental conservation in the country's mountain region.
- Participate in a white water rafting excursion or learn about regional mountain ecosystems on a nature trail hike.
Day 6: Boca Chica
- Continue your coral reef restoration project by studying a unique coral species.
- Participate in a meet and greet with marine biologists.
- Discover what a career in marine conservation could mean for you.
Day 7: Boca Chica
- Travel by boat on an excursion to Catalina Island.
- Enjoy a relaxing day snorkeling and observing a local coral reef, a beautiful example of successful conservation efforts within the Dominican Republic.
Day 8: Depart for home
Your Service Project Themes
Day 2: Service Project—Boca Chica coral conservation
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
- Responsible Tourism
- Cultural Immersion and Diversity
Day 1: Arrive in Santo Domingo
Meet your Field Director at the airport. After you arrive at your accommodations, settle in and meet your group for an orientation and safety overview.
As communities evolve, so do their needs. That’s why we work closely with non-profits to better understand the local challenges. Since projects are determined closer to your actual program date, here’s a glimpse at what a typical day might look like:
- Transfer to Boca Chica.
- Meet EF's partner organization and learn how it is working to improve the state of coral reef in the Dominican Republic.
- Discuss coral reef biology and restoration practices.
- Practice snorkeling techniques as you learn how to identify local species of fish and gather scientific data within marine ecosystems.
Day 3: Boca Chica
- Process scientific data gathered during a coral reef restoration campaign.
- Explore a mangrove ecosystem.
Day 4: Boca Chica
- Meet a community association to learn about the evolution of fishing and ecotourism as you explore the social dynamics of marine conservation.
- Explore a coral reef nursery and participate in local ecotourism activities, such as kayaking.
- Participate in a mangrove reforestation project.
Day 5: Boca Chica
- Explore the importance of environmental conservation in the country's mountain region.
- Participate in a white water rafting excursion or learn about regional mountain ecosystems on a nature trail hike.
Day 6: Boca Chica
- Continue your coral reef restoration project by studying a unique coral species.
- Participate in a meet and greet with marine biologists.
- Discover what a career in marine conservation could mean for you.
Day 7: Boca Chica
- Travel by boat on an excursion to Catalina Island.
- Enjoy a relaxing day snorkeling and observing a local coral reef, a beautiful example of successful conservation efforts within the Dominican Republic.
Day 8: Depart for home
Learning outcomes on this program
Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness
Your experience includes
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Round-trip airfare & transportation
Your flights—covered. Ground transportation—covered. We take care of getting you around so you can enjoy the ride.
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Accommodations
Safe, comfortable hotels with private bathrooms will be waiting for you at your destination.
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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.
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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.
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Service Hours
Earn service hours that count towards academic credit.
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Volunteer and Leadership Activities
Participate in volunteer, leadership, action planning and social issue activities.
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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.
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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.
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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.
