InteRDom 2007 Summer Interns Become Familiar with the Culture and Landscape of the D.R.

Through internships, classes, and guided trips, InteRDom’s 11 students have made important connections with the Dominican Republic.

InteRDom, the internship program developed by Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), and its sister organization in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), brought its first group of summer 2007 interns to the Dominican Republic in June.

Students represent numerous universities in the United States, and will be conducting academic research and carrying-out internships with reputed organizations during their 3 month stay in the Dominican Republic.

As part of the InteRDom program, students are enrolled in an intensive Spanish language course, and take other academic courses designed especially for InteRDom students at the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE).

Courses being offered this summer include:

• Advanced Spanish
• Seminar on the Dominican Republic – Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA)
• Seminar on Contemporary Caribbean Culture

The three month program includes excursions to various sites of historical and cultural importance, such as the Museum of the Mirabel Sisters, Centro León, and Enriquillo Lake. Students also have the opportunity to participate in workshops on music, cooking, and Taíno culture.

InteRDom’s 2007 summer interns are: Natimil Abreu (Business Administration); Denise Nolasco (Business Administration); Adam Bledsoe (Anthropology); Christina Davidson (Latin American Studies); Dan Lyons (Economics); Elizabeth Polanco (Economics and International Relations); Jennifer Corrales (Biology and Health); Jennifer Eaglin (International Relations); Kacey Pindar (Business and International Relations); and Edward Gonzalez-Acosta (Political Science).

Alicia Alonzo, Program Coordinator, indicated that 6 other students would soon be joining the program.

On Thursday, August 9, at FUNGLODE, an event will be held in which students will present the findings of their investigations.

Trip to Dominican – Haitian Border

On Saturday, June 16, the group traveled 15 hours by bus to familiarize themselves with the Dominican – Haitian border. They were accompanied by UNIBE Professor of Contemporary Caribbean Culture, Pedro Cabiya.

The trip was intended to supplement the work students were carrying-out on Dominican – Haitian relations, both in their classes, and in their internships with organizations such as:  Alianza ONG (NGO Alliance), Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), INSTRAW, PNUD, and Visión Mundial (World Vision).

According to Assistant Coordinator, Eve Hayes, trips like this bring an added dimension to classroom instruction. When possible, trips are incorporated within course curriculums.

The trip also served as a means of diversion. Students spent time at La Descubierta, where they bathed in hot springs, and explored Taíno cave dwellings.

Dominican businesses and organizations interested in recruiting international interns for their projects can send requests to: interdom@globalfoundationdd.org