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Postcard: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Kristin Jatkowski,
Grand Central Magazine

As the author prepares to depart the Dominican Republic, one thing she will always remember is the country's lavish, green landscape. Photograph by Kristin Jatkowski
(Click here for more images.)

Now that my time here is coming to a close, I've done some reflection about the past two months. I've been surprised by how quickly I've adjusted to the culture.

Although the language barrier made me anxious at first, being here has really improved my Spanish. I've become more confident and more independent. Riding in a taxi, ordering off of a menu, going grocery shopping – all of these things have become second nature. I think I may feel more of a culture shock returning to Michigan than I did coming here.

This is not to say life here has been without surprises or frustrations. Appointments here rarely happen on time. For a time-conscious Americans like myself, this can be difficult to adjust to. I think I've come to appreciate a more relaxed atmosphere and I've become more spontaneous because of this adjustment.

I also overestimated the amount of English speakers in the country. This was actually a good thing because it forced me to use my Spanish, but it was still surprising. Many of the parents of my students speak very little English, despite the fact their children attend an English-speaking school.

Although my students’ English is very good, there is still somewhat of a language barrier because English is their second language. I see the barrier most when using expressions that may not translate directly, but if I explain it once, my students remember.

My students also have the amusing habit of throwing Spanish phrases in their English sentences. For example, rather than saying "like" in English, they will use the Spanish "como." In many ways I admire my students for knowing as much English as they do.

I've also been surprised with the attitude towards alcohol here. Although most countries are not as restrictive as the United States, drinking laws here are very lax. The drinking age is 18, but I've never seen it enforced anywhere.

Drinking is normal for high school students; they go out to bars on the weekends like college students in the states. The availability of alcohol is also very different. You can buy a Presidente almost anywhere, including fast food restaurants. Liquor is widely available; if you'd like a cocktail while surfing the net at an Internet cafe, you're in the right place.

I've been surprised by the availability of all things American. Cable television has many English speaking channels, most of them dubbed or subtitled in Spanish. But the exposure to American culture is still apparent. American fashion is also popular here –especially for my students who come from wealthy families.

Two major streets in the city are named after American heroes, John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln. Walk through any grocery store and you'll see the same brands from Kelloggs to Cover Girl and even apples from Washington. One of the few things I've missed has been Diet Coke. Coca-Cola Light simply isn't the same, and many times it is more expensive than regular Coke.

Despite the general availability of essentials and luxuries here, I've had to rethink some of my teaching strategies to accommodate for limited resources.

One of my biggest frustrations at first was not being able to make copies whenever I wanted. Paper is limited here and copies must be submitted a few days ahead of time. Students copy from the board much more than they do in the states. I'm forced to plan my lessons further ahead in order to make sure I have enough time to get copies made.

Although school here seems archaic, I think there is something to be said for this strategy. My students are enthusiastic and excellent readers and writers. These are skills that I think students in the states are losing.

As my time here draws to a close, I feel myself wishing it wasn't. I have fallen in love with the Dominican Republic: the geography, the culture, the food, the language, the adventure, my school and the city of Santo Domingo.

Luckily, I won't be away for long. I'll return home to Michigan for the summer and in August I'll be back to begin the next stage of my life. I've accepted a position as a sixth grade social studies and language arts teacher for the upcoming school year.

The thought of my own classroom is exciting, but adding on the fact that I get to live here for a year is beyond anything I ever thought I would do.

I can't wait to see what the future holds!