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CRC Global

A Dominican Republic Service Learning Experience
Updated for the 2012-13 school year

A note to Prospective Applicants:

Congratulations on taking this first step in choosing to apply yourself in service learning. In addition to serving persons, you will be gaining the opportunity to develop skills which can make a real difference in the lives of others and yourself. We ask that you sift through the information below and seriously consider all aspects of this service-learning course before embarking any further in the application process. Whether or not you are selected for this particular program, CRC offers many opportunities and we assert that there is no need to be deterred from positive engagement in the world, no matter where you start.

What is CRC Global: a Dominican Republic Service Learning Experience?

In 2009, two CRCers created and implemented the first ever international service learning "alternative break" experience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, partnering with the Non-Governmental Organization, Outreach 360 (formerly Orphanage Outreach), and teaching English lessons in schools in the Dominican Republic (DR). In 2010 we obtained funding from the Division of International Studies to establish a Spring 2011 course, International Studies 320, CRC Global: A Dominican Republic Service Learning Experience, culminating in 42 students, 2 faculty, and 3 academic staff members teaching English and Public Health in the DR primary schools for a week as well as supporting a Sustainability exploration team. Now, CRC Global is positioned to be a sustaining CRC Signature Program thanks to student initiative and campus-wide support.

CRC Global is part of how we fulfill our mission of developing responsible, invested local and global citizens. And, it’s intended to be for all CRC residents; no knowledge of Spanish, no prior travel experience, nor any particular intended major are preferred. There will be a range of course topics, volunteer opportunities, and scholarships are available. Please also note that CRC Global is evolving and subject to change, as is required by the nature of the project itself. Patience and flexibility are required for all of us during this process.

Where will we travel?

Located between Cuba and Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. The Dominican Republic is a safe and friendly country. The country is exceptionally financially poor by American standards, especially along the "frontera", the area along the Haiti border. Look at the country on Wikipedia to find out more!

What is Outreach 360?

Outreach 360 (O360) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Glendale, Arizona. Since 1994, O360 has been working with orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children in the Dominican Republic (DR). During that time, over 12,000 volunteers have been hosted by O360 for short term volunteer trips.

Volunteers with Outreach 360 have many different opportunities. We anticipate that our group participants will have opportunities to teach English at local schools, to be involved in public health efforts, and/or to participate in agricultural sustainability projects associated with the orphanage. CRC Global is an evolving program, however, and the specifics of the service opportunities that will be available are not worked out at this point. We thank you for your patience and understanding in knowing that the program details remain to be worked out and may change. For more information, please visit Outreach 360's website.

CRC Global is for everyone in CRC!

CRC is committed to a no barriers approach for this program; this project is for everyone! No previous international travel experience is required or expected. If you would like to apply but anticipate financial, logistical, or academic barriers, please write no more than 250 words about your situation and submit it with your completed application.

CRC Global Course, Spring 2013: International Studies 320, 2 credits, Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm

Spring enrollment and attendance in this course is required of all participants. The course carries Intermediate (I) breadth status and will only be open to CRC Global participants. It is designed for students to get to know one another, prepare for the spring break trip, and learn more about Outreach 360, the Dominican Republic, and their geographic and political surroundings. We will explore cultural and personal expectations and prepare to make the most of the Spring Break experience. Following the trip, the course will provide time to process, reflect, and share our experiences with the broader CRC community. Relevant and practical reading, and some reflective writing, will be part of the course.

Spring Break Travel Schedule

 Cost

Trip participants will be expected to pay no more than $600 in fees for this trip. A $100 check deposit is due with the application. The remaining approximately $500 will be due the beginning of spring semester. This money, supplemented by funding from the CRC programming budget and fundraising, will cover travel, the Outreach 360 program fee, meals while in the Dominican Republic, and lodging. Other expenses, including but not limited to passport fees, $10 visa to enter the Dominican Republic, food during travel days, and spending money are the responsibility of individual participants.

2012-2013 Application Timeline

Acknowledgments

CRC Global is supported by the UW-Madison Division of International Studies and the student programming funds of the Chadbourne Residential College (CRC).

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TO THE CRC OFFICE NO LATER THAN 5 PM ON Mon, Sept 24, 2012