Welcome to My Fulbright Journey: Bridging Gender Gap with Code in Dominican Republic

Welcome to the blog I told you all I would write! Let's go over the basics. I am currently in Santiago, Dominican Republic. I was born and raised here until the age of 11, and half of my family lives here and so I visit very frequently. Being inspired by my journey into technology I decided to apply for a Fulbright scholarship in order to offer the same inspiration to girls here through a research project.

Here is a quick FAQ section:

What is Fulbright?

The Fulbright Program is a prestigious United States cultural exchange program with the goal of improving intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence between the people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. A presidentially appointed 12-member board is responsible for supervising the Fulbright Program worldwide and approving the selection of all Fulbright recipients. Receiving this grant is a reflection of leadership and contributions to society. It is made possible through funds appropriated annually by the U.S. Congress.

May, what are you researching and why?

My research question boils down to how can we apply existing intervention programs to get girls into tech in the US in the context of Santiago, DR. In the US there are many programs like Girls Who Code and Black Girls Code whose goal is to help close the gender gap in the field. Through programming they inspire and empower high school aged girls to pursue careers in technology. I'd like to find out how we can do the same for girls here by providing the same programming adjusted to this specific context.

My research-y reason is because there's a genuine need for such programming in this country. Despite rapid growth in the technology sector in the D.R., women face barriers in higher education. Factors include low computer literacy (less than half can copy and paste), limited technology access (only 28% have desktop or laptop), and stereotypes. The narrative is that women are naturally more proficient in literature while men are more skilled in mathematics, science, and technology. This stereotype negatively affects girls' interest, dedication, and performance in these fields. 

My personal reason is that where I am today is a result of an amalgamation of programs that have similar goals. In high school I learned how to make websites because of an after school program helping disadvantaged kids learn how to code, now called mouse.org. This inspired me to go to college and pursue computer science career. I then went to an all women's college (Smith) on a full tuition Posse scholarship. While there my very first internship was teaching a Girls Who Code summer program at Morgan Stanley. I remember my interview question was to write a rock, paper, scissors game in python! The folks I met at MS that summer later saw me at the Grace Hopper Conference and gave me an internship at the firm. After interning at the firm I was offered a full time position. If you've kept count, there are 5 different spaces, made by folks who wanted to see me in the position I am today. I'd like to be a person that creates that space for others too.

How will you answer your research question?

This project has five phases, overseen by my university partners at Universidad Nacional Evangelica (UNEV): Karina Lopez who is the head of the university extensions unit, and Jovina de la Cruz, the academic coordinator for the computer science department.

Stages:

1. Literature Review: Research the American programs and see their strategies for success.

2. Canvas/Survey Potential Schools: Interview educators about their tech offerings and challenges in implementing this type of programming. Also gather the students' general attitudes toward STEM fields, their confidence levels in pursuing them, and their current level of tech literacy.

3. Design: Use info from previews stages to create an after school program that adapts to their needs.

4. Implementation: Execute the program at one of the interviewed schools.

5. Analysis: Compare what changes had to be made and measure weather an impact has been made on the girls. I will also create a repeatable package of materials for future recreation of this program at the other schools.

At least, that's the plan!

Isn't this the same as Chicas en Tec R.D.?

Marvelous question! In 2021 I made a gofundme to buy computers and spend the summer teaching girls how to code in my hometown using a 5 week curriculum I developed based on my experience with GWC. It has since become a non-profit and we have successfully run the program 2 more times since! However, having modeled the program after an American program I noticed the gaps that I hope to resolve in my research. For example, the programs usually assume a level of computer literacy that might already be far from what the girls are exposed to here, or the analogies to explain concepts might seem too distant to someone who grew up here. Additionally, this research will allow me to make this programming more accessible to more girls and target the specific groups that need it most.

What kind of blog is this?

Despite the seriousness of the above, I'm a silly and sentimental gal!

I love telling people how I feel and what I am thinking about, specially with my intended audience: friends and mentors. This blog will likely be tells of personal struggles, identity crises, cultural nuances and just, things that happen. All of those experiences will, of course, inform and sway the research in different ways however I am concurrently keeping a simple log of strictly research updates on this public google doc if that's more your ride. I will also attempt to add a TLDR, or bold the main ideas because life is busy and sometimes you just want to know if I'm doing alright and look at the pictures, absolutely valid! Maybe this is the only one you read, that's alright too.

How often will you blog?

We shall find out together.

Are there other fulbrighters in D.R.?

Absolutely! There are 5 of us here although none in my city. Someone is doing a film on femicide, others are researching the effects of American short term volunteer programs in rural communities, someone else is researching financial fraud, and someone else is doing a medical program. We are all hoping to meet in the capital once we're all here.

What else will you do besides research?

My extra curriculars include learning how to drive, learning how to play merengue tipico on the accordion, taking dance classes, being an active older sister/daughter/grand-daughter, and hopefully discovering the gems of the country through travel.

When will you come back?

Summer 2025!

Thank you for reading my first blog post, make sure to subscribe below in order to get an email when I post again or feel free to check in at your own pace. If you're here, you probably have something to do with me being able to pursue this passion and I want to end by extending my deepest gratitude for your support and believe in me.