January Intensive at Chavón: Dominican Republic

Students must be 18 years or older to register and may register for the January intensive on our website. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrations are accepted in the order in which they are received. Early application is strongly encouraged. Students will be charged a university fee. 

College/Adult January Intensive in the Dominican Republic (January 2-14)

Registration begins August 29.

Tuition: $6,400

Fees: $40

Total: $6,440

Academic Transcript Request

The New School has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide transcript ordering via the Web. During the pandemic, only official PDF copies of New School transcripts will be issued. Official PDF transcripts are free of charge.

After you request your transcript from the National Student Clearinghouse, your transcript will be mailed electronically to you or another recipient, such as a university, that you have designated. If you are sending your transcript to a college or university, make sure the school accepts electronic PDF transcripts as official, and keep in mind the following considerations when ordering.

• The transcript link for the requester has a 30-day time limit.
• There is no expiration date after the transcript is downloaded.
• Unlimited views are allowed.
• Printing is allowed.
• Copying is not allowed.

Chavón’s facilities in La Romana are located on the Casa de Campo resort, a private, secure community. Classes will take place in studio classrooms and the surrounding environs, providing students an idyllic environment in which to nurture their making practices. Throughout the two weeks, classes will visit sites in La Romana and the capital, Santo Domingo, to further their exploration of the rich culture and history of the Dominican Republic.

Housing is included in the program cost; all students are required to stay in the program-provided housing. Students will stay in shared apartment units located at the La Romana facility. Each apartment will house two to four students in the program. Apartments are furnished and include kitchenettes for basic cooking throughout the two weeks. Students will need to bring their own bed linens. 

The program cost includes:

• Round-trip ground transportation from one of three local airports
  (SDQ, LRM, or PJU)
• Weekly transportation to an international-quality grocery store
• Day-trip excursion to the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo, conditions permitting
• Community-building activities in La Romana that connect students to each other and the local culture

The program cost does not include:

• Travel expenses to and from the Dominican Republic
• Passport or visa expenses
• Insurance expenses
• Daily food and other expenses
• Accommodations before or after the program dates

Students in the program complete one three-credit undergraduate Parsons class, Fashion Design Explorations. This class is held on site in the Dominican Republic at Chavón’s facilities in La Romana.

Students should arrive in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, January 1 and will attend a welcome event that evening. Instruction takes place Monday to Saturday, starting on Monday January 2 and ending on Saturday, January 14, with six hours of studio class time each weekday. Morning sessions run from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and afternoon sessions from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In between classes, students have access to the studio classroom to continue working on their projects. They can also participate in recreational activities during the breaks and weekends. Students will depart the Dominican Republic on Sunday, January 15.

Fashion Design Explorations

History, architecture, landscape: these are just a few of the words used when describing the uniqueness of Chavón’s studio space in La Romana. This design intensive in a tropical climate invites students to create a fashion narrative using La Romana and its surroundings as a laboratory for exploring and developing a point of view with the aim of advancing toward a personal definition of fashion, style, and personality. 

This hands-on design course challenges students to explore traditional and non-traditional approaches to fashion design, including research and concept development, design ideation, experimental making, and visual communication. Students learn the fundamentals of research, observational writing and drawing, design ideation, and the creation of analog and digital visual presentations. Students explore the communicative power of images through visual media using a variety of drawing and digital techniques, with the goal of developing their own individual aesthetic.

Working on an open-air campus, students are encouraged to investigate social issues and personal experiences and interests as a springboard for research, direction, and production of fashion. Individual and collaborative projects allow students to explore fashion concepts, for which they will draw on the unique resources and landscape of La Romana.

This course includes activities such as lectures, demos, and discussions; individual and collaborative exercises and projects; self- and peer critiques; and field trips. Students keep a design process journal and complete a series of exploratory 2D and 3D fashion design studies based on their original research and concepts, to be presented in a final design presentation in the medium and format of their choice: lookbook, curated exhibition space, performance, short film, etc.

January Intensive in the Dominican Republic (January 2-14)

Please note: All refund schedules are effective until 11:59 p.m. ET on a specified date.

Course Drop or Withdrawal Date and Percentage of Tuition Refunded

On or before October 24: 100%
October 25 to November 7: 50%
November 8 or later: 0%

Attendance and Workload

Students attend classes Monday through Saturday for six hours a day, with a break in between two three-hour sessions. Attendance is mandatory. Students who miss more than two class sessions (each day consists of one morning and one late afternoon session) will fail the course, subject to faculty and administrative review. Out-of-class work, which is assigned daily, is a substantial part of the program. Students who do not meet course expectations may be asked to leave the program. In such instances, no refund will be given.

Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate English language proficiency, as classes are taught in English. Students who attend a college or university in which English is the primary language of instruction can submit a transcript confirming the language of instruction. 

Alternatively, students can submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 79 or higher on the Internet-based course, an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 or higher, a PTE (Pearson Test of English) score of 53 or higher, or a DET (Duolingo English Test) score of 100 or higher. Visit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET for more information.

What You'll Need

• A modern laptop and mouse
• A digital camera (mobile device cameras are suitable)
• Supplies on class list (estimated cost: $300 U.S.)

College Credit

Students enrolled in the college/adult-level programs in the Dominican Republic earn grades and three undergraduate college credits upon successful completion of the program. We strongly recommend that participants consult an academic advisor at their home institution for further details of approval, transfer, and fulfillment of graduation requirements.

Travel to the Dominican Republic

Students will be notified when to book flights. Students book their own flights to align with the program dates, arriving in the Dominican Republic on January 1 and departing on January 15.

U.S. citizens and green card–holding residents need a passport that will be valid through the period of stay in the Dominican Republic. 

Visitors from some countries require a visa. Visit the Embassy of the Dominican Republic website for current visa information. 

All visitors to the Dominican Republic are charged a $10 tourist card fee that is incorporated into airline charges.

To ensure the safety of all participants and the surrounding community, students will need to follow several protocols to participate in the January intensive:

• Submit proof of health insurance
• Submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination
• Follow program COVID-19 protocols, which may include mask wearing and social distancing
• Self-monitor for symptoms throughout the program

COVID-19 testing might also be required at additional points in the program.

Please email [email protected] to speak with a program representative.