Abinader welcomes Dominican students from New York

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader welcomed 30 outstanding students of Dominican descent living in New York as part of a cultural initiative aimed at strengthening their connection to their heritage. The program, launched by the Dominican Consulate in New York and led by Consul Jesús “Chu” Vásquez, invites young Dominicans to visit the country, explore its history, and discover the communities where their parents were born.

During the welcome, President Abinader encouraged the students to apply for Dominican citizenship and passports, reminding them, “This will always be your country.” He emphasized the importance of knowing their roots and national history.

In a second phase of the program, Vásquez revealed plans to bring 50 top-performing students from public schools in the Dominican Republic to New York for a cultural exchange—providing opportunities to reward excellence and promote inclusion among vulnerable groups.

The visiting students will tour key institutions and cultural sites such as the Duartiano Institute, UASD, National Congress, and Ministry of Culture. They will also visit their families’ hometowns—including Santiago, La Vega, Puerto Plata, Tenares, and Salcedo—and meet prominent figures like David Ortiz, Pepín Corripio, and the Las Reinas del Caribe volleyball team.