Darys Estrella inspires students at the ICDA School of Languages to pursue their goals
Darys Estrella inspires students at the ICDA School of Languages to pursue their goals
Darys Estrella inspires students at the ICDA School of Languages to pursue their goals
Students from the School of Languages of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano (ICDA) took part in an enriching meeting with Darys Estrella, president of the ICDA Board of Directors and author of El hierro que forjó a la dama, as part of the talk titled “How to Reach the Goal.”
During the event, the students had the opportunity to take part in a space for learning and reflection aimed at strengthening fundamental values for personal and professional growth, such as perseverance, confidence in one’s own abilities, and the importance of working with purpose to achieve set goals.
The talk sought to motivate participants to recognize their potential, overcome challenges, and continue moving forward with determination toward their dreams, highlighting the importance of maintaining focus and consistency on the path to success.
ICDA expressed its gratitude to Darys Estrella for sharing her experiences and knowledge with the students, contributing to their holistic education and inspiring them to continue building their future with dedication and confidence.
With initiatives like this, the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano reaffirms its commitment to an education that goes beyond academic learning and promotes the personal development, motivation, and growth of its students.
The General Directorate of Fine Arts and the Dominican-American Cultural Institute renew an agreement to promote art and culture
The General Directorate of Fine Arts (DGBA) and the Dominican-American Cultural Institute (ICDA) have renewed their inter-institutional collaboration agreement with the purpose of continuing to strengthen the ties between both entities and promoting artistic, cultural, and educational development in the Dominican Republic.
The renewal ceremony was led by the General Director of Fine Arts, Marianela Enriqueta Sallent Abreu, and the Executive Director of the ICDA, Enrique Alberto Fernández Malla. Rosa Bobea, the Cultural Institution’s Finance Director, also participated.
Additionally, the event was attended by Kenia Rondón, head of the Legal Division; Elsa Liranzo, Coordinator of Interinstitutional and International Relations of the DGBA; and Sofía Otero, Cultural Director of the ICDA.
The renewal of this agreement will allow the continuation of joint initiatives aimed at fostering artistic training, promoting cultural exchange, and generating new opportunities for learning and development for the students of both institutions.
Through this alliance, the General Directorate of Fine Arts and the Dominican-American Cultural Institute reaffirm their commitment to strengthening education, promoting artistic expressions, and developing Dominican culture.
ICDA promotes reflection on mental health with the screening and discussion of «My 500 Crazies»
The event brought together medical, psychological, social, and cinematic perspectives to address the evolution of psychiatric care and the current challenges of mental health in the Dominican Republic.
Within the framework of World Mental Health Day, the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano (ICDA) held on Saturday, October 10, the screening of the film “My 500 Crazies” and the discussion “From My 500 Crazies to Today’s Mental Health,” at the Patrick N. Hughson Auditorium. The activity was held to benefit the Padre Billini Mental Health Board.
The meeting provided a space for reflection on the evolution of psychiatric care, the stigma associated with mental disorders, and the importance of promoting more humane care focused on the dignity and rights of individuals.
Based on the historical reality presented in the film, the discussion connected different perspectives on mental health with the current challenges in the Dominican Republic. Psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery, and inclusion were among the topics addressed during the dialogue.
The panel included Dr. Yino Martínez, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, director of the Padre Billini Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center; and Dr. José Ángel Saviñón, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, professor, researcher, and author. Both contributed the medical perspective to the exchange on mental health care.
Also participating were Roselin de los Santos de Saviñón, M.A., clinical psychologist and Fulbright program alumna; and Rosario Bonarelli, president of the Mental Health Board, who contributed to the dialogue from psychological and social fields.
The cinematic perspective was represented by Ico Abreu, Dominican actor who plays “El Tuerto” in “My 500 Crazies” and Fulbright program alumnus. His participation linked the film experience with the themes that motivated the event.
The day brought together cinema and dialogue as means to bring the public closer to a reality that requires understanding, respect, and collective commitment. It also offered an opportunity to reflect on advances in mental health care and the challenges that remain to promote recovery and inclusion of people with mental disorders.
The Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano thanks the panelists and everyone who supported this solidarity initiative, whose purpose was to contribute to greater awareness of mental health and support the work of the Padre Billini Mental Health Board.
The Embassy of the United States, ICDA, and Ideice present progress to strengthen English teaching in the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. – The Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano (ICDA) and the United States Embassy in Santo Domingo held the meeting “Progress that Inspires: Training, Evidence, and Collaboration to Strengthen English Teaching,” within the framework of the Working Table for the Advancement of English in the Dominican Republic.
The event, held in the ICDA Exhibition Hall, brought together representatives from governmental and private institutions, educators, and allies to share advances in teacher training and certification, learn about the results of research on English teachers, and explore collaboration opportunities.
The meeting was led by Chelsia Hetrick, Public Affairs Counselor at the United States Embassy; Enrique Fernández Malla, Executive Director of ICDA and Rector of the Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA); Jesús Andújar Avilés, Executive Director of the Instituto Dominicano de Evaluación e Investigación de la Calidad Educativa (Ideice); and Ancell Scheker, Deputy Minister of Technical and Pedagogical Services of the Ministry of Education (Minerd).
In her welcome remarks, Hetrick highlighted that the initiatives presented are the result of joint work by various organizations and their commitment to strengthening the capacities of those who teach English. She also emphasized that the Working Table should continue to be a platform to identify needs, connect capabilities, and turn institutional exchanges into concrete actions.
“None of these initiatives belong to a single institution. They have been possible because different organizations have brought knowledge, resources, experience, relationships, and willingness to the table,” she said.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that the Teacher Development Center of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano and the Centro Cultural Domínico Americano in Santiago obtained licenses to offer the SIT TESOL Certificate Course, a professional certification program for teaching English designed and accredited by World Learning / SIT Graduate School, a higher education institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
These licenses strengthen the country’s capacity to offer teacher training and certification with international standards. As part of this progress, participants of the inaugural cohorts of the program, which includes approximately 180 hours of training, observation, teaching practice, feedback, and evaluation, were recognized.
Meanwhile, Ideice presented the study “Profile and Characteristics of English Teachers in the Public Pre-University Sector of the Dominican Republic and Interventions that Contribute to Their Training (2025),” conducted with the sponsorship of the United States Embassy, ICDA, and Minerd.
Andújar highlighted that this is the first official study aimed at understanding the profile and characteristics of English teachers in the public pre-university sector, and it constitutes a starting point to continue researching the teaching and learning process of this language in the country in collaboration with Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA).
He noted that the findings invite strengthening competency diagnostics, offering training that responds to the different needs of teachers, and supporting them in applying what they have learned.
In his closing remarks, Fernández Malla expressed ICDA’s willingness to contribute its technical teams and evaluation experience to the efforts that Minerd should lead, with an emphasis on capacity transfer and external validation of measurement instruments.
“English is not a curricular luxury. It is part of the human capital with which this country will compete, research, and communicate with the world,” he affirmed. “Behind every percentage in this report is a teacher in front of a classroom. Our task is to ensure they are not alone.”
During the meeting, the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano donated books to Minerd for use in schools. The donation was received by Ancell Scheker, Deputy Minister of Technical and Pedagogical Services, on behalf of the Ministry.
The meeting highlighted the contribution of teacher training, research, and inter-institutional cooperation to strengthening English teaching in the Dominican Republic.
The program Spanish as a Foreign Language connects its students with Dominican culture
The program Spanish as a Foreign Language connects its students with Dominican culture
The program Spanish as a Foreign Language connects its students with Dominican culture
The students of Spanish as a Foreign Language had an enriching educational experience in Santo Domingo, where they had the opportunity to closely explore part of the city’s history, culture, and heritage.
During the day, they took a guided tour of the National Museum of Natural History “Prof. Eugenio de Jesús Marcano Fondeur,” where they explored the country’s natural wealth. They also visited the National Museum of History and Geography, discovering fascinating moments of local history.
The activity allowed the students to put their Spanish knowledge into practice in real-life situations while connecting language learning with Dominican culture.
Because learning Spanish goes far beyond studying grammar: it is about living the language, discovering new perspectives, and experiencing the culture firsthand.
Specialized English
The English you need to advance in your profession Develop the communication skills and specialized vocabulary you need to navigate your professional field with greater confidence. The Specialized English programs at the Language School of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano combine language learning with content, expressions, and situations specific to different sectors. Their practical approach […]
The Dominican American Cultural Institute honors Arthur E. Valdez after 34 years of leadership and dedication
The Dominican American Cultural Institute (ICDA) gave an emotional and significant recognition to Mr. Arthur E. Valdez, expressing deep gratitude for his 34 years of career, leadership, and uninterrupted commitment to the development of the institution.
Since joining the Board of Directors in 1992, Mr. Valdez became a key pillar for the growth and strengthening of the ICDA. Over more than three decades, his strategic vision, vast experience, and dedicated service vocation guided high-impact institutional decisions and initiatives.
During the tribute, representatives of the institute highlighted not only the valuable professional contribution of the honoree but also his constant human willingness to put his knowledge at the service of the educational and cultural community.
With this recognition, the ICDA reaffirms that the vision and dedication provided by Mr. Valdez will continue to be a living part of the entity’s history and the projects that continue to be built for the benefit of society.