Alumni Arrupe Immersion to the Dominican Republic
Buildings on a street in the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Reconnect with the spirit of USF through a special Alumni Immersion to the Dominican Republic. In partnership with the Caribbean Social Immersion Program, journey beyond the traditional tourist experience to encounter the people, culture, history, and communities of the Dominican Republic while exploring questions of migration, identity, justice, and human dignity. This trip runs parallel to a USF student immersion experience and alumni will have the opportunity to connect with these students at the end of the trip.
Rooted in USF’s Jesuit mission, this immersion offers alumni an opportunity to learn, reflect, build meaningful relationships, and experience solidarity in action alongside fellow Dons.
Come ready to encounter, reflect, and see the world — and your place within it — with new eyes.
In order to secure hotels, we ask that you reserve your spot by December 1.
Cost: $2,765*
*A $1,000 deposit is required to reserve a spot on this trip. Total program cost may vary depending on the number of participants. Program cost does not include airfare, participants will need to secure flights on their own. This price does include a $150 contribution to support student participation in Arrupe Immersions. These contributions help reduce program costs and make immersion opportunities more financially accessible to current USF students. This is a tax deductible contribution.
Questions? Email Sarah Manzano, assistant director for immersions and Catholic life, University Ministry.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY*
Below is an itinerary of activities for an eight-day, land only, immersion.
All lunches are covered under the program fees. Some breakfasts and dinners are covered, unless otherwise noted.
*Please note that this itinerary is subject to change.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive to hotel in Santo Domingo by 3:00 pm
Dinner and Introduction of the CSIP and program
Joint dinner*
Day 2: Understanding the context
History of the Dominican Republic and Northern border context.
Travel to Dajabon
Joint Dinner
Day 3: Binational Market
Binational Market
Meeting with young business people: Dominican and Haitians
Evening: free time & dinner on your own
Day 4: Environment at the border
Understanding environment at the border
Meeting with honey producers
Joint Dinner and Reflections
Day 5: Beach Time and Travel back to Santo Domingo
Breakfast and trip to Montecristi beach.
Lunch at the beach and return to Santo Domingo.
Evening: free time & dinner on your own
Day 6: Dominican identity, slavery and migration
Breakfast
Slavery Route
Evening: free time & dinner on your own
Day 7: Identity, women and girls leadership
Meeting with young women and girls of Muñecas Negras.
Community lunch in Monte Plata.
Dinner and reflections with USF students in Santo Domingo
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and final evaluation.
Departure to the airport with a stop at Mercado Modelo*
Closing of the program.
*Visit to the market if time allows
Hotel Information:
Hodelpa Caribe Colonial
C. Isabel La Católica 159, Santo Domingo 10210, Dominican Republic
+1 809-688-7799
Learn more about the hotel Hodelpa Caribe Colonia
Cha Cha Hotel (Formerly Villas Codevi)
H77J+4X Villlas CODEVI, Dajabón 63000, República Dominicana
+1 829-745-6181
Learn more about the Cha Cha Hotel
Arrupe Immersions, under the Office of University Ministry, are local and global experiences designed to open participants' eyes to the realities of the world. Each immersion is constructed around specific social justice issues, where participants learn to recognize injustices in a context that is different to their own, practice solidarity with marginalized communities, and allow those experiences to inform their vocational discernment. Immersions are not vacations, but rather a unique opportunity for participants to expand their worldview, sometimes through discomfort, and engage their community through empathy, allowing for deep reflection and introspections, which will undoubtedly invite participants to consider their place in the world.