Professional Development Schools

Dates

Travel: January 2025 (2.5 weeks)

Cohort Meetings: Fall Semester 2024

Accepting Applications: No

Application Deadline: April 1, 2024

Location

Cabarete, Dominican Republic (view map) is located in the Caribbean on the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. It is a small town on the northern coast in the province of Puerto Plata. Due to the trade winds and physical features that produce ideal wind and wave conditions, Cabarete is a destination noted worldwide for its beaches and reputation as a premier kite-surfing locale. Average daytime temperatures in January are 80F, with humidity and brief tropical showers. Spanish is the national language, however Haitian Creole, French, and English are commonly heard.

Costs

Final program costs are determined once all participants are enrolled. The current program estimate of $4000 is all inclusive and consists of: round-trip flight, lodging, group ground transportation, group cultural excursions, travel health and evacuation insurance, required course/language textbooks, administrative fees, and passport. Some expenses are included in a one-time fee applied to participants' Buffalo State tuition. Other expenses participants direct-pay to vendors before and during travel.

Partnership

Buffalo State Leaders
Tamara Horstman-Riphahn, School of Education
Pamela Schuetze, Psychology

International Partners
3 Mariposas Montessori School
Mariposa DR Foundation

Buffalo State Participants:

• Participate in pre-travel cohort meetings and workshops to prepare for the experience - completed semester prior to travel (fall)
• Teach and observe at local public and private schools serving Dominican and Haitian children. Observe at area public schools and meet with educators and students.
• Collaborate with 3 Mariposas Montessori, a private school committed to providing an environment that encourages students to become confident, independent, caring and creative individuals.
• Collaborate with the Mariposa DR Foundation, a local center supporting and uplifting girls from the community, to complete service learning activities and learn how this organization is working with local families to improve their living situations and future experiences.
• Engage in Spanish language learning
• Develop an understanding and appreciation of Dominican culture through interactions with children and community members
• Study child advocacy and trauma-informed care strategies
• Learn about historic work of Mirabal Sisters and current Girl Effect Movement
• Experience language learning as participants and educators
• Engage in research and share findings with fellow students 
• Enjoy planned and individual excursions throughout Dominican towns and countryside
• Blog about their experiences while abroad

Past Programs

• January 2023 - 8 participants led by Tamara Horstman-Riphahn and Pamela Schuetze
• January 2019 - 9 participants led by Tamara Horstman-Riphahn and Wendy McLeish
• January 2017 - 15 participants led by Tamara Horstman-Riphahn and Wendy McLeish
• January 2015 - 9 participants led by Tamara Horstman-Riphahn and Wendy McLeish
• January 2014 - 13 participants led by Tamara Horstman-Riphahn and Wendy McLeish

Applications are accepted through the School of Education during open application periods only (see above). Applicants must submit a completed application form, essay of intent, one academic reference, and a copy of past grades and current course registration. A typed application form is preferred; handwritten is acceptable.

Eligibility:

-  Open to all current Buffalo State undergraduate or graduate students - including those graduating in the December prior travel
-  Must maintain good academic standing
-  Must be able to obtain passport

Download IPDS Dominican Republic Application

Participant Blogs

Follow Dominican Republic participants as they experience life abroad.
 

Participant Voices

View individual profiles of past participants - colorful demonstrations of the impact of IPDS programs on the personal and professional lives of our students.

Video Interviews: Cohort Reflections

IPDS Dominican Republic 2023 cohort participants share insights from their experiences abroad, and insights for students considering an IPDS teach and study away program.

Video Interview: Kassia Balus

Kassia describes how traveling to the Dominican Republic through IPDS changed her teaching practice.

Video Interview: Bryanna Hill

Bryanna reflects on how her experiences in the Dominican Republic and Chile changed her views of teaching.

Tamara Horstman-Riphahn, School of Education
Pamela Schuetze-Pizarro, Psychology