Exploring Social Health and Equity in the Dominican Republic
Gettysburg College’s Dominican Republic Immersion Project engages students in understanding the multifaceted issues affecting social health and community well-being. Launched in 2010, the project arose from student interest in the lives of Haitian migrants and Haitian Dominican communities amid ongoing discussions sparked by the film The Price of Sugar, which portrays the hardships faced by Haitian workers in the sugar industry.
The initiative seeks to illuminate the impact of migration, identity, and social inequality by providing participants with the opportunity to interact with local communities, organizations, and social initiatives. Participants examine how access to resources, social systems, and cultural practices directly influence community health and individual well-being.
The program addresses key issues including the historical context of antihaitianismo, the discrimination against Haitians and Haitian Dominicans that has shaped relationships on the island. Students delve into the relationships between economic inequality and community resilience, exploring urban and rural disparities and the cultural traditions that emerge in response to such challenges.
Sample Itinerary
| Day | Activities |
|---|---|
| Day 1: Travel to Santo Domingo | Transport to Rancho el Campeche Orientation |
| Day 2: Communities of Duveaux and Franks | Visit Shrine of Mana Presentation about San Cristóbal |
| Day 3: Day trip to Santo Domingo | Visit MUDHA Visit Batey Matamamon Meet with MOSCHTA |
| Day 4: Drum class | Presentation on Dominican popular music Meeting with member of the US Embassy Film |
| Day 5: Visit school in Franks | Tour religious sites in El Limon |
| Day 6: Visit bateys and Boca de Nigua | Presentation by Xiomara Fortuna about the sugarcane economy |
| Day 7: Sightseeing and museums in historic capital city | Visit university for conversation with college students Evening concert |
| Day 8: Travel home | – |
Contact Us
For more information, interested individuals can email cps@gettysburg.edu or call 717-337-6490.
