 Dominican Republic
Social issues in a developing country
3 graduate or undergraduate credits
May 18-27, 2008
Randi Buerlein and Tim Davey
E-mail: rwbuerle@vcu.edu
$2,260 + applicable VCU tuition
Registration deadline: March 1, 2008
Program description and application [PDF]
The Office of International Education and the School of Social Work at Virginia
Commonwealth University are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to participate in a social work program in the developing nation of the Dominican Republic.
This course examines social work clinical and policy practice and the social welfare system of the Dominican Republic, including comparative issues in society, culture and history, social work education, and selected social programs.
 Course and credit options: 3 undergraduate or graduate VCU credits: SLWK 391 or SLWK 770 International Social Work Study Abroad
Course description: Through this hands-on learning experience, students will examine the impact of Dominican history, culture, economy and politics on the development of social problems in the Dominican Republic. The course will include the study of specific social problems and corresponding programs and institutions that address these problems, with emphasis on the comparison of social service delivery methods in a developing country versus those of the U.S.
2008 estimated program budget
Program costs: $2,260 + applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $2,260 and includes the following:
- Round-trip airfare from either Washington, D.C. or Richmond
- Pick-up and drop-off at the Barbados airport
- Accommodations
 Study visits and tours- On-site program director support
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International student identification card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- VCU tuition and fees
- Some meals
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $300)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Tuition: Tuition is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $190 (per 3 credit class: $570); undergraduate out-of-state, $401 (per 3 credit class: $1,203); graduate in-state, $404 (per 3 credit class: $1,212); graduate out-of-state, $533 ($1,599 per 3 credit class).
Airfare: Airfare is included in the cost of the program. Participants will depart from either Richmond or Washington, D.C. The departure city will be determined at the time the tickets are purchased.
 Application deadline: March 1, 2008. Applications will be accepted until the deadline, or until participant space is full.
Eligibility: Students must have a 2.0 GPA to apply, and are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Activities and excursions: Agency visits will include a public school, an orphanage, a public hospital, an adolescent clinic and batey communities. Participants will attend lectures presented by experts in various fields as well as faculty from the Public University. Participants also will be involved in an array of cultural and community activities, such as merengue lessons and market visits.
Accommodations and meals: Participants will be housed in hostels with breakfast included. Lunch and dinner will be provided most days as well.
Program directors: The program will be led by Randi Buerlein, M.S.W., and Tim Davey, Ph.D., of the VCU School of Social Work. Buerlein is the assistant director of field instruction for the School of Social Work. She teaches in the B.S.W. program and is involved in developing field placements for B.S.W. and M.S.W. students. For the past nine years she has coordinated international service projects for students in Latin American countries and West Africa. Davey is the Associate Dean for Community Engagement and director of field instruction for the School of Social Work. His primary research focus has been working with homeless and other at-risk families conducting multiple family group retreats in an effort to provide support, teach parenting skills, and help families in accessing needed community services. This is their third year leading this program.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs.
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