Preference given to concentrators in Latin American Studies. The host institution offers different levels of language instruction and administers a placement exam at the beginning of the term. Students who are very advanced in the language may take a literature or film course instead. The Study Group Director designs and conducts this course. It functions as an integrative forum for collaborative learning and provides a theoretical background to help conceptualize the experience abroad.
Students can, however, opt to take a different second elective from the list of courses available.
All four credits earned count towards graduation. Grades for all courses are recorded on the student's transcript as Colgate grades. Two credits may count towards a concentration in Latin American Studies. The program includes excursions to various other parts of the island, to expose students to the history, social complexity, and vivid beauty of this tropical country. The week-long colloquium in the city of Santo Domingo in November includes social and cultural activities, visits to museums, and visits to other historic sites.