Dominican Republic: Elisa Shaheen (Daily Life in Cabarete)

Each morning, I walked to my internship location at the Montessori school in my community where the streets were filled with lots of character. On the side of the road, groups of individuals enjoyed their mornings with each over a cup of coffee. A cup of strong black coffee with a bit of sugar is always in the hands of Dominicans each morning whether they are bringing it from home or buying it at a “cafetería.” I myself began to start my days with my host family by chatting over coffee and going to the kitchen at the school for another cup while I greeted my fellow coworkers.

After work, I loved to enjoy the company of my community and the beautiful landscape that was all around me. I’d often sit on my porch looking out onto the beautiful mango, coconut, starfruit, and palm trees all around my house while listening to the sounds of the chickens and ducks that lived on my property. I also liked to hang out with host family too out near the main road where I would talk to their friends, neighbors, and family about my day and theirs as well.

I also took in as much of the landscape as I could while I was there. Very close to my home, I often took walks along a trail in my free time that showed the most beautiful aspects of the country. On one side I saw incredible views of quiet beaches where people were frequently out on the water kite surfing. Looking away from the beach, the trail offered sights of the extensive countryside with wild horses and in certain parts, mountains lining the horizon. I am so grateful for being able to live within such a beautiful country and close community as well!

Elisa Shaheen

Hometown: Orland Park, Illinois

Major: Spanish; Communication Sciences & Disorders

Program: 3 Mariposas Montessori Children’s Programming & School Internship

This opportunity offers me the chance to improve my Spanish and gain exposure to a culture and dialect I am far more unfamiliar with. It also combines my language learning goals with my career goals in Speech Pathology in which I’ll gain a better understanding of working with children, especially those of a different background than mine.  I hope to expand my understanding of how a community’s environment and lived experience all influence the culture that they share.