Dominican Republic: Ritmos y Raices
A 3-Week Exploration of Arts and Culture
Project Overview
Discover the Dominican Republic through the power of creativity. Over three weeks, you’ll explore different aspects of culture and the arts while immersing yourself in local communities. Start with a week in Santo Domingo, visiting art sites and connecting with cultural organizations, then spend two weeks living with a host family in a small community. There, you’ll lead art‑focused activities with kids, collaborate with local youth, and help bring service projects to life. The program culminates in a public showcase where volunteers and community members present their work together — a celebration of art, culture, and connection.
Training & Preparation
Start Strong, Stay Confident.
Explore projects offer a guided experience with support, so training equips you to engage respectfully and safely with your host community.
National Volunteers:
3–5 hour self‑paced online course (about one month before departure)
Project Information (PIP) Webinar
Family member attends Health & Safety Webinar
Local Chapter Volunteers:
In‑person chapter training (Feb–May)
Short online concept quiz (mid‑May)
Project Information (PIP) Webinar
Family member attends Health & Safety Webinar
Ready to lead, ready to explore! Once you land, you’ll spend 2-3 days getting grounded. Orientation introduces you to local culture, daily life, and your community assignment. Project staff lead sessions on health, safety, and project activities and expectations so you feel confident and prepared before diving into the local community.
Closing strong, Carrying forward! In your final 1-2 nights, you’ll come together with fellow volunteers to reflect, celebrate, and prepare for the journey home. Debriefing helps you process your experience, navigate reverse culture shock, and wrap up travel logistics. It’s a supportive space to share growth and learn how to tell your story to family and friends.
What to Expect
Experience More, Discover Yourself.
AMIGOS projects are designed to challenge and inspire. You’ll dive into hands‑on activities, connect with local communities, live with a host family, and experience life tech‑free. Every moment builds connection, leadership, and friendships that last far beyond the program.
Volunteers develop connections with the people who make each project possible: host families, local youth, community members, partner organizations, AMIGOS staff, and fellow volunteers. These relationships are central to the AMIGOS experience, creating space for cultural exchange, shared learning, and collaborative service.
Living with a host family moves volunteers past the tourist experience, offering a genuine sense of belonging in the community. It’s the ultimate way to rapidly improve Spanish skills and build cross-cultural relationships that often last a lifetime. With 60 years of experience, AMIGOS strictly vets every household through in-person home visits, interviews, and mandatory health and safety training. Staff supervisors conduct regular check-ins and provide 24/7 emergency support.
“I connected with my host brother and sister. It was very meaningful as we played together, talked about our cultures, and talked about a lot of different topics. We spent a lot of time together every evening, and they made a huge difference in my experience.”
Over the years, we have observed that volunteers who choose a full digital detox report higher satisfaction, stronger community bonds, and fewer instances of homesickness or emotional distress. Our experience, supported by emerging research on technology use and mental health, demonstrates that disconnecting from devices allows volunteers to connect more deeply with themselves, their peers, and their host communities.
Full Technology PolicyCurious about the daily experience? Explore a sample itinerary for this trip.
Safety and Support
AMIGOS prepares volunteers with health and safety training before departure and project-specific guidance during in-country briefing. Volunteers learn what to expect, how to make responsible decisions, and where to turn for support if needed.
Throughout the project, staff develop emergency plans for each volunteer and location, conduct regular risk assessments, and are available 24/7 through AMIGOS’ in-house Health and Safety On-Call System, supported by a team of medical and mental health professionals.
Cost and Financial Aid
Program fees covers all essential costs, including lodging with host families, local meals, in-country transportation, group excursions, and a 24/7 emergency support network. Flight costs and travel admin fees are not included (learn more about Flights & Travel) What’s included:
- 3 weeks of immersive programming and activities
- All meals and accommodations
- In-country transportation
- 24/7 safety and support system
- Pre-departure and training, online or in-person
What’s not included: flights, travel admin fee, insurance, gear.
More About Fees & FundingOur transparent, all-inclusive pricing and flexible financial aid and fundraising options maximize value for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
This project is perfect for students who are passionate about the arts and eager to share their creativity with others. It’s designed for youth who love dance, music, theater, or visual arts and want to use those talents to inspire and connect with kids. If you’re excited to practice Spanish, build independence, and immerse yourself in community life while leading art‑focused activities and contributing to local service projects, this program is for you.
This project blends cultural immersion with creativity, giving you the chance to explore the Dominican Republic through its vibrant arts scene. From a week in Santo Domingo visiting art sites and organizations to two weeks in community leading art‑focused activities with kids, you’ll experience how dance, music, theater, and visual arts can spark connection and inspire change. The program culminates in a public showcase where volunteers and local youth present their work together — a celebration of creativity, community, and cultural pride.
AMIGOS first launched programs in the Dominican Republic in 1977, partnering with the Ministry of Health on immunization campaigns in Santo Domingo. In the 2000s, we expanded south, collaborating with organizations like World Vision and Plan International to bring programs to San Juan, Azua, Neiba, and Barahona.
After pausing during the pandemic, 2025 marked a new chapter as AMIGOS relaunched in Azua and Barahona. In 2026, we built on this legacy with two successful projects — continuing our long‑standing partnership with Plan International in Barahona and expanding into new communities in Pedernales. Together, we’re celebrating decades of youth leadership, cultural exchange, and community impact.
Yes! Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.
You can earn 60 service hours on this program.
You’ll experience both group and family living throughout the program. During the first week in Santo Domingo, the entire group stays together in dorm‑style lodging while exploring the city’s vibrant arts scene and connecting with cultural organizations. For the following two weeks, volunteers are placed with host families in small communities, living alongside 6–7 peers. An AMIGOS Project Supervisor is regularly present in the communities, ensuring support while you immerse yourself in daily life, lead activities with kids, and collaborate with local youth. At the end of the program, the group reunites in Santo Domingo for 1–2 nights of debriefing, reflection, and celebration before departure.
Enjoy authentic Dominican cuisine with staples like plantains, yucca, rice, beans, chicken, eggs, fresh vegetables, and sancocho — a traditional stew. Vegetarian options are available.
In Santo Domingo from June to August, expect hot, humid, and rainy tropical weather with daytime highs around 87–89°F and nights in the mid‑70s. Afternoon showers are common, and humidity often makes it feel warmer than the actual temperature.
¿Qué lo qué? — What’s up? / How are you? A very common informal Dominican greeting.
Vaina — Thing / stuff / situation. A very versatile word that can refer to almost anything. Context is important!
Un chin — A little bit. For example, “Espera un chin” means “Wait a little bit.”
Pila — A lot / plenty. “Hay pila de gente” means “There are lots of people.”
Coro — Hangout / social gathering. “Vamos a hacer coro” means “Let’s hang out.”
Guagua — Bus. In the Dominican Republic, “guagua” is commonly used for a bus or public transportation vehicle.
Concho — Shared taxi. A common form of public transportation that follows a specific route.
Zafacón — Trash can / garbage bin. You’ll hear this word frequently when talking about keeping places clean.
Colmado — Small neighborhood grocery store / convenience store
Ideal for volunteers passionate about the arts, the Dominican Republic: Ritmos y Raíces project offers an immersive experience focused on creative expression, youth engagement, and collaborative activities that connect culture, community, and creativity.
- Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation
- Receive required immunizations
- Be age 15–19 on the project start date
- Passport valid 6 months after project start date
