LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR TEACHING ADVENTURE IN JARABACOA!
We are thrilled that you are interested in teaching at our school. Here, we have gathered all the information you need to know about living and working in Jarabacoa. Take some time to review all of this information before making your final decision.
YOUR FIRST WEEK IN JARABACOA
- Airport pickup
- JCS will send a taxi to pick you up from the airport and drop you off at your new home.
- Receive your welcome basket
- Upon arriving at your new home, you will receive a welcome basket containing some essentials for you so that you do not need to rush to the shops as soon as you arrive.
- Errands & town tour
- In the first few days after your arrival, we will take you on a tour of Jarabacoa to show where all of the essentials are located, as well as where to find all the best restaurants. We will also help you to run any errands you may need help with, such as setting up your internet.
- Welcome meal
- At JCS, we like to welcome every new international member of staff to a welcome meal to give us an opportunity to welcome you to Jarabacoa and answer any questions you may have about your new home.
- School tour
- Finally, we give all new employees a tour of the school to make sure you know your way around, ready for your first day.
LIVING IN JARABACOA
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is cheap with various options ranging from conchos (motorbike taxis) to air conditioned coaches.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Jarabacoa is known to be a safe town. As this is a small town, locals will get to know you and do their best to look out for you. If needed, there is a special branch of the police for tourist protection who will always look after visitors. We have multiple medical centers in town and larger ones that offer more specialized care in our nearest city, La Vega, which is only a bus ride away. The insurance provided by the school covers all medical centers in Jarabacoa and many others beyond.
Transportation is cheap with various options ranging from conchos (motorbike taxis) to air conditioned coaches.
- Conchos (motorbike taxis) can be as cheap as 50 pesos depending on the journey. Conchos do not provide helmets for passengers and we cannot recommend them as they are the least safe option.
- Taxis cost a little more than conchos but are significantly safer and much more comfortable for longer distances.
- Guaguas - these are cheap, local buses which are more likely to have large music speakers than air conditioning. They do not have fixed schedules, instead they set off when they have enough passengers and they're perfect for popping down to La Vega for the day.
- Coaches are the most comfortable way to travel around the country. These are large, air-conditioned buses with a set schedule that can take you to La Vega or Santiago
HEALTH & SAFETY
Jarabacoa is known to be a safe town. As this is a small town, locals will get to know you and do their best to look out for you. If needed, there is a special branch of the police for tourist protection who will always look after visitors. We have multiple medical centers in town and larger ones that offer more specialized care in our nearest city, La Vega, which is only a bus ride away. The insurance provided by the school covers all medical centers in Jarabacoa and many others beyond.
HOUSINGWe offer all of our international teachers rent-free accommodation in a shared apartment
What is included?
What is not included?
If you prefer to live alone or are coming with your family, we can help you to look for alternative housing options |
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FOOD
Jarabacoa has 3 main supermarkets which are generally well stocked. The range of options may be more limited compared to large supermarkets in other countries but you can generally find all of the essentials. Dominicans tend to have rice for their main meal of the day with a combination of different types of beans, meat and salad. These kinds of foods are very economical. There are also many imported goods available, such as cheese and bacon, however, these may be more expensive than you are used to due to import fees so instead of going for your familiar brands, you may need to swap them out for the Dominican equivalents.
THE CULTURE
The Dominican Republic is a very laid-back country. People tend to prioritize their sanity more than their work which can be stressful and frustrating as a colleague if you expect things to be done quickly. Patience is a virtue and one that is an important part of Dominican culture.
Lunchtime is typically from 12 to 2pm and many businesses close at this time. It is also common for a business to be scheduled to open at a certain time, but instead be closed with no notice or further information.
Dominicans enjoy dancing and loud music so foreigners must be ready to join the fun and/or allow it to happen. Earplugs can definitely help with this.
It is important for all international visitors to remember that they are visitors in a different country and to be prepared for things not to be the same as back home. The Dominican Republic will not (and should not) change its culture to please visitors.
To learn more, we recommend these sites:
Lunchtime is typically from 12 to 2pm and many businesses close at this time. It is also common for a business to be scheduled to open at a certain time, but instead be closed with no notice or further information.
Dominicans enjoy dancing and loud music so foreigners must be ready to join the fun and/or allow it to happen. Earplugs can definitely help with this.
It is important for all international visitors to remember that they are visitors in a different country and to be prepared for things not to be the same as back home. The Dominican Republic will not (and should not) change its culture to please visitors.
To learn more, we recommend these sites:
- https://www.afsusa.org/countries/dominican-republic/#:~:text=Dominican%20culture%20is%20a%20mixture,structure%2C%20religion%2C%20and%20music.&text=Dominicans%20are%20very%20fond%20of%20dancing%20to%20merengue%20and%20bachata.
- https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/articles/10-traditions-only-dominican-can-understand/
- https://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Dominican-Republic.html
FLIGHTS
We recommend flying into Santiago airport (STI) as it is the closest airport to Jarabacoa, however, JCS will arrange for you to be picked up from whichever airport you fly into so you do not have to worry about anything when you first arrive in the Dominican Republic.
Please note:
Santiago is around an hour’s drive from Jarabacoa
Santo Domingo is 2-3 hours’ drive depending on traffic
Puna Cana about 5 hours’ drive from Jarabacoa
Please note:
Santiago is around an hour’s drive from Jarabacoa
Santo Domingo is 2-3 hours’ drive depending on traffic
Puna Cana about 5 hours’ drive from Jarabacoa
THE COST OF LIVING
As in any country, the cost of living will depend on your own necessities and spending habits. Jarabacoa is a small town so the cost of living is lower than in the big cities such as Santo Domingo and Santiago. The average wage is around 16,000 DOP per month (around $275 USD) and our teachers earn significantly more than this so most teachers should find the monthly stipend enough to cover their expenses, especially as we provide housing rent-free.
JCS is not backed up financially by any institution, relying solely on student tuition for funding. We take pride in what we can offer our teachers as it is the most we can provide to our dedicated team.
MONEY
Most places do accept card, however, lots of smaller businesses will only take cash so it is always good to have cash just in case. In touristy locations, such as Punta Cana, US dollars are accepted, especially when booking activities/excursions marketed towards tourists. We recommend exchanging some money before you arrive so that you have some Dominican pesos in cash for the first few weeks after you arrive.
There are a range of banks in town from Banco Popular to Scotiabank and you will find plenty of ATMs to withdraw cash.
JCS is not backed up financially by any institution, relying solely on student tuition for funding. We take pride in what we can offer our teachers as it is the most we can provide to our dedicated team.
MONEY
Most places do accept card, however, lots of smaller businesses will only take cash so it is always good to have cash just in case. In touristy locations, such as Punta Cana, US dollars are accepted, especially when booking activities/excursions marketed towards tourists. We recommend exchanging some money before you arrive so that you have some Dominican pesos in cash for the first few weeks after you arrive.
There are a range of banks in town from Banco Popular to Scotiabank and you will find plenty of ATMs to withdraw cash.
SCHOOL TERMS
The school year at JCS runs from August to the following June. We begin the year on August 1st with our 3-week staff training programme. From the beginning of classes in mid-late August, our first time off is for US Thanksgiving in November. Traditionally, we have a staff gathering and a few days off at this time in honor of our American students and staff as well as our founders. From then, before you know it we have our Christmas break in December. We come back to school in early January and our next time off is 1 week for Easter (Holy Week/Spring Break). Spring semester then takes us to the end of the school year in early June when most students breathe a sigh of relief and we all take a few days off.
Before starting the summer holidays, JCS offers a summer school to provide tutoring for struggling students. All teachers are asked to stay for this period to give 1:1 or small group tutoring to ensure that nobody starts the next school year behind. After these last couple of weeks, the summer vacation begins at the end of June. The school is then closed for the month of July.
Before starting the summer holidays, JCS offers a summer school to provide tutoring for struggling students. All teachers are asked to stay for this period to give 1:1 or small group tutoring to ensure that nobody starts the next school year behind. After these last couple of weeks, the summer vacation begins at the end of June. The school is then closed for the month of July.
THE COMMITMENT
JCS hires teachers for the complete academic year, from August to June as it is disruptive to students if their teachers change throughout the year.
Depending on the circumstances, we sometimes accept teachers for one semester - from January to June - rather than a full year, however, in general, we ask that if you cannot commit to fulfilling your contract then please do not apply. Having said that, we do understand that things can happen that are beyond our control so if you are interested in joining JCS mid-year, please get in touch and we will let you know if we have any vacancies.
Depending on the circumstances, we sometimes accept teachers for one semester - from January to June - rather than a full year, however, in general, we ask that if you cannot commit to fulfilling your contract then please do not apply. Having said that, we do understand that things can happen that are beyond our control so if you are interested in joining JCS mid-year, please get in touch and we will let you know if we have any vacancies.
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