What perceptions did you have about the Dominican Republic prior to and after your study abroad experience?
Photo provided by Tayla
Prior to entering the DR, I thought I would be entering paradise. I came to the country with the expectation that there would be people whose skin was as brown as mine if not darker, the weather would be 90+ degrees, and I would be able to indulge in the best beans and rice. To my surprise, most of my perceptions proved to be true. However, I quickly learned that although my skin resembled those of the native Dominicans, my experience wouldn’t be so easy. There were times where I entered spaces and I was mistaken as Haitian. Sidenote, I had no idea about the Dominican-Haitian political/cultural tension that existed on the island prior to entering the country. Haitian in the DR is often times frowned upon and the dark color of my skin was intimidating to some social establishments on the island, making me feel inferior and isolated, and making me sum up my experience in the DR to “It was great, but I could never live there".