Welcome to your best source of information for Peace Corps Dominican Republic! If you’re considering volunteering in Dominican Republic, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you more about the history of the Peace Corps in Dominican Republic and explore Dominican Republic as a nation. You’ll learn about the languages spoken in the country and hear about other volunteers experiences. You can find more information about safety and health issues here too. And we’ll tell you how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Dominican Republic. Get ready to find out more about information to help you decide if serving in Dominican Republic is right for you.
Volunteers in the Dominican Republic work with their communities on locally prioritized projects in the Community Economic Development (CED) usually leaves in March, while Education and Youth Development (YD) sectors usually leave in August.
What is the History of Peace Corps Dominican Republic?
Peace Corps has had a long and productive 60 year relationship with the Dominican Republic. The first group of volunteers arrived in the Dominican Republic in 1962. It was one of the first countries to welcome Peace Corps volunteers.
Over 4,800 volunteers have served across the Dominican Republic, working in education, health, environment, agriculture, and community development. The Dominican Republic has hosted one of the largest Peace Corps programs globally.
Volunteers have lived and worked in rural, urban, and underserved communities across the country. Their goal has been to build local capacity by sharing their skills and expertise with local partners. They have supported impactful grassroots projects in communities nationwide.
Currently, around 70 volunteers support projects related to Community Economic Development, Education, and Youth in Development. 2023 marks the 61st anniversary of the Peace Corps program in the Dominican Republic, one of its longest-running partnerships worldwide.
What about Dominican Republic as a nation?
The Dominican Republic is a nation located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean region. It shares the island with Haiti to the west. As a nation, the Dominican Republic has a rich history and a diverse cultural heritage. It gained independence from Spain in 1844 and has since developed into a democratic republic.
The Dominican Republic has stunning natural beauty, including pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and breathtaking mountains. It attracts tourists from around the world who come to enjoy its warm climate and explore its vibrant culture.
The country’s economy relies a lot on tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. It has experienced significant economic growth in recent years and has made efforts to attract foreign investment.
While the Dominican Republic has made progress in areas such as education and healthcare, it still faces challenges related to poverty, income inequality, and crime. Efforts are being made to address these issues and promote social and economic development throughout the country.
Overall, the Dominican Republic is a nation with a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and historical significance. It continues to strive for progress and development while embracing its rich heritage.
What languages do they speak in Dominican Republic?
The official language spoken in the Dominican Republic is Spanish. Spanish is the primary language used in government, education, business, and everyday life. The Dominican variant of Spanish has its own distinct accent and vocabulary influenced by the local culture and history.
It’s worth noting that in certain regions and among specific communities, there are other languages and dialects. For example, some individuals may speak Haitian Creole, especially in areas near the border with Haiti where there is a significant Haitian population. A small number of people speak indigenous languages such as Taíno in rural communities. But, Spanish remains the dominant and most spoken language throughout the country.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Dominican Republic?
In general, 91% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Dominican Republic. And 96% felt safe or very safe where they worked. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Dominican Republic Country Crime Profile.
Most of the medical problems seen in the Dominican Republic are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in the Dominican Republic because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to the Dominican Republic are dengue fever, malaria, chikungunya, cholera, amoebic dysentery, hepatitis, typhoid, rabies, diarrhea, skin infections, respiratory infections, minor injuries, and STIs. Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms.
Because malaria is endemic in the Dominican Republic, Volunteers are required to take anti-malarial medication. Volunteers will also receive vaccinations against the following: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, typhoid, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), flu vaccine, and TD (tetanus and diphtheria).But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Dominican Republic can be found in the Dominican Republic Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Dominican Republic?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 86% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 86% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 86% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Dominican Republic Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about Peace Corps Dominican Republic volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Dominican Republic. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
- Mike (2023-25) blog
- Miguel (2017-19) articles
- CS (2014-16) blog
- Andria – ED (2014-16) blog
- Toomey (2014-16) blog
- Bronwen – Health (2013-15) blog
- Brendan – ED (2012-15)
- Ellen (2011-13) blog
- Erin – CED (2009-2011) blog
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in The Dominican Republic, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Dominican Republic with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Dominican Republic?
- Friends of the Dominican Republic – NPCA
- Friends of the Dominican Republic – Facebook
- Friends of the Dominican Republic – website
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Dominican Republic?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Dominican Republic
- Projects in Dominican Republic
- Stories from Dominican Republic
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to The Dominican Republic“, published in 2015. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about The Dominican Republic. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
Conclusion:
This blog post has provided you with information to help you decide if serving in Dominican Republic is right for you. You have gained insights into the cultural, linguistic, and developmental aspects of the country. We have also touched on the safety considerations and health-related information relevant to volunteers. And, you learned how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers. For more information about Peace Corps Dominican Republic, you can visit the Peace Corps website or explore the provided resources. We hope this post has been helpful in your quest for information on Peace Corps Dominican Republic.
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