Reach Out: A Shippensburg University Honors Program Educational Initiative in the
Dominican Republic
2017 Travel Application
Part One: Applicant Information
Name: _______________________________________________________________________
School Year, Fall 2016 (circle one): Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior
E-mail Address: __________________________ Telephone: _________________________
Major(s): ________________________________ Minor(s): __________________________
How did you learn about Reach Out?
_____ Student Participant _____ Project Website _____ Fundraising Event
Other (please explain): _________________________________________________________
Please indicate your level of proficiency/instruction in Spanish:
_____ Native Speaker _____ College - Number of Semesters of Instruction: _____
_____ High School – Number of Years of Instruction: ______
Please rate your ability to do the following in Spanish from 1-5, with 1 being poor and 5 being excellent:
_____ Speak _____ Listen/Understand _____ Read _____ Write
Have you traveled outside of the United States?
_____ Yes – Where/When: ________________________________________________________
Purpose of Travel: ________________________________________________________
_____ No
Have you been involved with Reach Out before?
_____ Yes
How have you contributed to the project?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____ No

Part Two: Essay Information
Please prepare typed responses to the following questions. Be sure to elaborate on your answers and do not be shy about promoting yourself:
1.
Please summarize your previous involvement with Reach Out and/or other servicelearning projects.
2.
Why are you interested in participating in the Reach Out project? How does it fit into your major and/or minor fields of study and your postgraduate plans?
3.
What specific skills, abilities, and experiences do you possess that relate to and will enhance the project? Consider, for example, the following areas:

Working with children

Working in diverse settings (e.g. at-risk children, English-language learners)

Educational instruction/lesson planning

Fundraising

Public relations/marketing

Finances/budgeting

Interest and/or experience in Latin America

Spanish language proficiency
4.
Please describe your personal strengths and how they will help you to succeed on this trip. Consider, for example, the following areas:

Working well with others

Handling stress in a tough situation

Adapting to new food, ideas, schedules, etc.

Being flexible when things don’t go as planned

Communicating well
Part Three: Traveler Requirements
I understand that if I am selected for the program, I will meet the following requirements:

I will attend the fall team-building workshop. This will likely be held during Labor
Day Weekend.

I will attend all weekly project meetings during the fall semester which are held one evening per week, usually from 6:30-9. If I miss more than two meetings, I understand that I may not be allowed to travel with the group to the Dominican
Republic.

I will contribute at least five hours to group activities held outside the normal meeting times, including fundraising, cultural, or recruitment events.

I will attend four language sessions (or do the equivalent work on my own to be overseen by Dr. Ricardo) after Reach Out meetings in Fall 2016.


I will participate in activities and meetings during the spring semester, even if I am student teaching or have an internship.

I understand that I am responsible for funding my travel to the Dominican
Republic, including airfare, housing, meals, local transportation, travel insurance, passport, and immunizations. The total cost of the trip will be $1000. The tentative travel dates will be 7-9 days, likely between January 1-9, 2017 OR January 8-16,
2017.
Part Four: Interview Schedule
Some applicants will be scheduled for a final interview. Interviews will take place during the week of April 4, 2016. Information about the exact dates, times, and locations will be forthcoming.
Part Five: Reference
Please note the name and contact information of someone who could serve as a reference in support of your application.
Name: ___________________________________ Title:_____________________________
E-mail: __________________________________ Telephone: ________________________
Applicant Signature: __________________________________ Date: __________________
Applications are due by March 14, 2016 to Gretchen Pierce, Head Project Faculty Leader, at gkpierce@ship.edu
. Please email them, rather than providing a hard copy.