The Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies will sponsor an alternative Spring Break trip to the Dominican Republic. This trip, called “The International Delegation: A View of the Dominican Republic” will be held March 15 to March 24.

This international community involvement learning experience is to be accompanied by enrollment in a Latin American study. Under the guidance of the director, participating students choose a topic.

“What is required to go on this trip is a basic knowledge of Spanish around level 240,” Gloria Bernarbe-Ramos, director of the Center, said.

“The students will be exposed to Dominican and Caribbean culture. They will do workshops lecture to independence studies,” Gloria Bernabe- Ramos said.

The fee is 1,000 dollars and 100 dollar deposit is due with the application and students are responsible for the fee. Another 100 dollars is due by March 4 and the remaining balance (800-875 dollars) must be paid full by March 11. The program fee will include room and board and cover all program activities. An up to date academic transcript and an evaluation form filled out by a Spanish instructor is also required.

Melassa Documentary Productions, a Dominican foundation, will organize ground transportation from the airport to the University Residence, to different places, including Mata Los Indios and the beach.

“This is the first initiative of students this nature of the Caribbean and they want it to be successful to offer it,” Bernabe-Ramos said.

The general objectives of this fieldtrip are to familiarize the participants with the history and cultural traditions of the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, to promote cultural exchange between students from different regions of the Americas, train participants in community based-learning techniques and other non-systematic forms of knowledge such as oral history and musical traditions. They participate in infrastructure projects such as the building of bathroom facilities, the construction of a medical clinic, and repair of homes and other buildings.

Information and applications for the 2002 alternative Spring Break in the Dominican Republic are available at 924 Thompson Hall, or by calling 413-545-4868.