About the trip
Quisqueya is the name that the Taíno people gave to the island now shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It is commonly translated as “mother of all lands.” Today, the shared island is a place where migration, identity, and belonging are deeply contested. On this itinerary, you will experience the Dominican Republic’s natural beauty and vibrant culture while exploring its complex identity and history. Who gets to belong? What are the histories behind these exclusions and erasures? What is being done to address these issues? You will get a behind-the-scenes perspective through visits to bilingual schools, human rights advocacy groups, cultural institutions, and community organizations. Meet educators, artists, activists, and lawyers making a direct impact on their communities, and learn what Dominican immigration policy can teach us about migration, culture and politics, the workings of democracy, and belonging in the United States today.
Trip LeaderS
Dr. Nicole Fadellin is an assistant professor of Modern Languages who specializes in contemporary Caribbean literature and culture. They regularly travel to Cuba and Puerto Rico for research, and this will be their second trip to the Dominican Republic. Their research focuses on U.S.-Caribbean relations and how contemporary musicians, filmmakers, and writers use art to engage with social and political issues.
Dr. Jose Eduardo Cornelio is an associate professor of Modern Languages whose research and teaching explore Latin American colonial and postcolonial cultural production. He is dedicated to inspiring students to recognize the value and relevance of humanities and second-language study.
Trip Dates:
Saturday, March 6 – Saturday, March 13, 2027
Sample activities
(tentative and subject to change)
- Spend five nights with a local family in Santiago de los Caballeros
- Volunteer at a bilingual school serving Haitian-Dominican students
- Meet with human rights activists and learn about the controversial 2013 immigration ruling
- Visit Miss Rizos, a social enterprise dedicated to challenging stigma around natural hairstyles, founded by Ursinus alum Carolina Contreras
- Immerse yourself in Dominican culture through a street dance, cooking class, museum visits, and a decolonial walking tour
- Enjoy the country’s natural beauty during an afternoon at the beach and a visit to Los Tres Ojos National Park
