Summer Education Abroad
Dominican Republic Social Work
Dominican Republic
3 graduate or undergraduate credits
May 17-28, 2009
Randi Buerlein and Tim Davey
$2,435 plus applicable VCU tuition
Registration deadline: Feb. 27, 2009
Status: Program full
The Office of International Education and the School of Social Work at VCU are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to participate in an international service learning course in the developing nation of the Dominican Republic. This course examines social work practice and policy, and the Dominican Republic social welfare system, including comparative issues in society, culture and history, social work education, and selected social programs. Students engage in a service learning project that integrates course content with service work in a rural community.
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, with emphasis on the comparison of social service delivery methods in a developing country versus those of the U.S. A service learning project enhances understanding and application of course content.
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, 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 10 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 Buerlein and Davey’s fourth year leading this program.
Registration deadline: Feb. 27, 2009
Registrations will be accepted until the deadline, or until participant space is full.
Program cost
$2,435 plus applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $2,435 and includes the following:
- Round-trip airfare from either Washington, D.C. or Richmond
- Accommodations
- Most meals
- Study visits and tours
- Ground transportation
- 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.
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.
Eligibility
Students must have a 2.0 GPA to apply and are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
While in the Dominican Republic
Agency visits will include a public school, orphanage, public hospital, 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 as well as weekend excursions to the beach or mountains. Students will participate in a service project that addresses the educational needs of children in a rural community.
Participants will be housed in hostels with breakfast included. Lunch and dinner will be provided most days as well.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
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, $208.55 (per 3 credit class: $619.05); undergraduate out-of-state, $421.20 (per 3 credit class: $1,257); graduate in-state, $428.68 (per 3 credit class: $1,279.44); graduate out-of-state, $543.90 ($1,625.10 per 3 credit class).
Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B at (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or see our Web site for further details.
If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time can take up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.
The non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2009 (both amounts may be billed at the same time).
All withdrawals must be made in writing and submitted to the Director of Education Abroad.
The refund schedule is as follows:
- Prior to Jan. 8: I am eligible for a refund of the portionof the program fee that has not already been expended in payment of costs outlined on the individual program sheet in support of my participation. I understand that, as the spring progresses, the charges may reflect an increasing amount, depending on what payments have been made on my behalf. After Jan. 8, I understand that the entire program fee may be due. I understand that the refund amount cannot be determined until I formally submit written withdrawal from the program.
- After Jan. 8: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after Jan. 8, I understand that I must provide a physician’s certification that my condition prohibits participation. In this case, refunds will be limited to recoverable expenses.
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.
