They do not have many possessions and have an arduous daily life. However, using the Latin American ideals, Dominicans take pride in what they own and look forward to the coming days. I do not recall many days where I did not see a smile on the face of a Dominican. They definitely had an inner spirit of happiness that glowed everywhere they went. In general terms, the Dominican people are poor materially, but they are high on the spiritual scale.
Dominican people have a different value system that is a complete constrast from the American ideal.
Domincans put their famliy and friends first in life and believe that work should be a distant second. More beautiful Dominincans that I met in the barrio. Along with the campo life, I greatly appreciated my time that I spent in the barrios near the ILAC Center. Later in the semester when I felt more comfortable with my Spanish skills, I would venture nightly to visit my friends in the barrio. Once again, it was a relaxing atmosphere.