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¡STUDY APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY AND SPANISH IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!
Humboldt State University (HSU) and Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE)

invite you to the Hands-on, resilient community technologies, Program in the Dominican Republic

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Next Meeting

Meetings for 2014 will start in November 2013.

See Practivistas Dominicana Program for more.

Description

This will be our third program in the Dominican Republic.

In the Practivistas Dominicana program, each student lives with a unique family in Santo Domingo, while studying with local students in the prestigious UNIBE and working in one of two different barrios on a project team with locals. The program is an intense six week immersion in many different aspects of Dominican culture along a wide breadth of socioeconomic classes. Students are expected to be, and received as, contributing members looking to learn how to improve living systems together.

In the summer of 2011, students studied appropriate technology and Spanish while working with community members of La Yuca to build a schoolroom from plastic bottles and concrete, lit with solar and homemade wind power from bike parts and newspaper press waste, that catches its own rainwater for cleaning and possibly drinking.

In the summer of 2012, students returned to Santo Domingo to continue our learning and community collaboration. Students worked with community members of La Yuca to make the renewable energy system from bikeparts and newspaper press waste more hurricane safe and durable, and to make the rainwater catchment more potable and tested. In addition, students worked in Las Malvinas II to build a classroom from plastic bottles, concrete, sawdust, papercrete and industrial wood waste for 25 young students.

This program is open to all skill levels, but does require some ability to do manual work and move around. Expect to work hard, learn a bunch, build lasting projects and friendships.

Tentative Details

  • Saturday, May 25th - Saturday, July 6th, 2013
  • $3,500 (includes room, board, units, classroom facilities and deposit)
  • 10 Units: 4 Units of Spanish, 3 Units Environmental Science 370, 3 Units Engineering 305 (Upper Division Area B GE) or special arrangement alternate such as Engineering 215
  • Location: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
  • Partners: Colectivo Revark (cultural liaisons and more), UNIBE (University), Appropedia (Information sharing)
  • A hands-on experience in Appropriate Technology and sustainability in the diverse environment of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
  • Immersed in the language and culture of the Dominican Republic.
  • Live with a Dominican family.
  • Visit cultural and natural places guided by faculty and community liaisons.
  • All courses apply to the HSU Minor and Majors or count as HSU graduating electives.
  • May use Financial Aid to cover related expenses.
  • You do not need to be an HSU student to apply.

Qualifications

  • Any person regardless of location, Spanish level or knowledge of Appropriate Technology can enroll in the Program.
  • Student should be able to do physical work related to appropriate technology projects and living in a foreign country.
  • If currently a student, must be in good standing.

Application

  1. Complete Program Application. Due Date: TBA
  2. Complete Interview with HSU Chiapas Program Director.
Venn Diagram of the three program courses.

Cancellation policy

The Practivistas Dominicana program reserves the right to cancel the program in the case of low enrollment, changes in regional politics or unseen complications.

Important Dates

In addition to monthly meetings, these are some of the tentative important dates of the program:

Application due ASAP - Here
Last day for interview Wednesday, March 27th (or by special arrangement)
Deposit of $300 due Wednesday, March 27th (or by special arrangement)
Final Payment due Friday, May 1st, 2013
Pre-trip orientation TBA
Arrive Santo Domingo May 25th, 2013
Class orientation May 27th, 2013
Last class - Final Presentation July 5th, 2013
Last day of home-stay July 6th, 2013

Contact the Dominican Program Leaders

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Director's Assistant - Kiva Mahoney, kiva.mahoney@gmail.com

Kiva's Appropedia user page

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National Coordinator - Wilfredo Mena Veras, wilfredo@practivistas.org

Wilfredo's Appropedia user page

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Director Lonny Grafman, lonny@humboldt.edu

Humboldt State University, Department of Environmental Resources Engineering: (707) 826-3649

No employee or student shall on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or national or ethnic origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, under any program of the University.

Courses

The main courses for the summer program, totaling ten semester units, are as follows:

  • Spanish 250, Spanish Language (4 semester units)
  • Engineering 305, Appropriate Technology in Dominican Republic (3 semester units)
  • Engineering 370, Energy, Technology and Society (3 semester units)

Note: This list is tentative. Exceptions and alternates can be made in some special cases (especially when a student has already completed one of the courses).

See More

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