Learning Abroad: Development, Conservation, and Health in the Dominican Republic

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Traveling to the Dominican Republic with the Honors College offers an exhilarating chance to study the lush natural wonders of Las Terrenas — from its pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs to its tranquil mangrove wetlands and powerful natural springs. You'll engage in hands-on, community-driven projects, exploring how local environmental and public health issues collide with political and economic forces, both on a national and global scale. We will work directly with local communities, discovering firsthand how they balance immediate needs with the long-term survival of their natural resources.

During the Spring 2026 semester students will enroll the interdisciplinary course prepares students to travel to the Dominican Republic, to better understand the opportunities and challenges that a developing country faces protecting their environmental resources, including beaches, wetland, and coral reefs, while ensuring their people have access to good jobs, quality education, and good healthcare. The course will also prepare students to work with local partners on community-engaged, service-learning projects to better understand and address these and related issues. Instructor permission is required to enroll, and enrollment in the course is required for the trip.

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Exploring new places	Exploring new places1 (Least Important)	Exploring new places2	Exploring new places3	Exploring new places4	Exploring new places5 (Most Important)
Time to be in nature	Time to be in nature1 (Least Important)	Time to be in nature2	Time to be in nature3	Time to be in nature4	Time to be in nature5 (Most Important)
Time with friends or family	Time with friends or family1 (Least Important)	Time with friends or family2	Time with friends or family3	Time with friends or family4	Time with friends or family5 (Most Important)
Relaxation	Relaxation1 (Least Important)	Relaxation2	Relaxation3	Relaxation4	Relaxation5 (Most Important)
Exciting new activities	Exciting new activities1 (Least Important)	Exciting new activities2	Exciting new activities3	Exciting new activities4	Exciting new activities5 (Most Important)
Meeting and engaging with local people	Meeting and engaging with local people1 (Least Important)	Meeting and engaging with local people2	Meeting and engaging with local people3	Meeting and engaging with local people4	Meeting and engaging with local people5 (Most Important)
Learning about different cultures	Learning about different cultures1 (Least Important)	Learning about different cultures2	Learning about different cultures3	Learning about different cultures4	Learning about different cultures5 (Most Important)
Pushing your physical limits	Pushing your physical limits1 (Least Important)	Pushing your physical limits2	Pushing your physical limits3	Pushing your physical limits4	Pushing your physical limits5 (Most Important)
Applying things I've learned in a new environment	Applying things I've learned in a new environment1 (Least Important)	Applying things I've learned in a new environment2	Applying things I've learned in a new environment3	Applying things I've learned in a new environment4	Applying things I've learned in a new environment5 (Most Important)