Higher Education in the Dominican Republic
The public education system in the Dominican Republic may not have such a good reputation, but when it comes to higher education, the country has a number of respected universities that enroll both local and international students. In fact, the first university in the Americas, the Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino, was established in the Dominican Republic.
Upon completing secondary education, students receive a certificate from the Ministry of Education that enables them to apply to local or international universities. Most Dominican universities are private, except for the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, which is the only public university in the country. The fees at this university are more affordable than those at private universities, although, in comparison to many other countries, higher education fees in the Dominican Republic as a whole are low.
However, only Dominican citizens are eligible for these subsidized fees. As a result, expats who have long-term plans to live here with their children sometimes arrange for citizenship before applying to local universities, in order to avoid paying the higher fees that are charged to international students. These fees are on par with those charged by universities in the US.
International students can also apply to the study abroad program offered by the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, one of the country’s premier higher education private institutions. Proficiency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for this course, which lasts for a semester. However, students can opt for the classes taught in Spanish that usually cater to local students. For those who wish to learn Spanish during the program, the university has a language school on its campus.
Both public and private universities offer the standard bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees. University students in the Dominican Republic usually live at home while pursuing their higher education. However, student accommodation is available at some universities. Expat students arriving in the Dominican Republic for the purpose of higher education can choose to stay with a host family, which may help them settle into the local community and will also aid their learning of Spanish. Expats should be aware that the job market for graduates in the country is not very vibrant or lucrative, and that students may have to look elsewhere for employment.
Source: Expat Focus
Category: DR Living |