Domestic Study Program

The program offers proximity to a large and diverse number of distinct Native American tribal communities. As the New Mexico state capital, Santa Fe serves as the focal point for state-tribal political relations in both the historical and contemporary periods. Santa Fe is the recognized hub of Native American art with numerous galleries, museums, studios and major international events dedicated to the exhibition and/or sale of Native art. The landscape itself serves as a living textbook of cross-cultural encounters in times of conflict and cooperation. 

The program operates from the campus of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) located just a few miles south of Santa Fe's downtown. Established in 1962, IAIA is the only four-year degree fine arts institution in the nation dedicated to contemporary Native American and Alaska Native arts. As our institutional partner, IAIA has opened its classrooms, library, residence halls and cafe to Dartmouth students. 

Students will have meal plans at the IAIA café sufficient to cover lunch and dinner on weekdays.

Courses pending

The program is open to all Dartmouth upper-class undergraduate students in good academic standing. As minimum qualifications, applicants must have taken and passed at least two NAS courses prior to the start of the program and meet all college standards for eligibility to participate in off-campus programs. In short, we seek to enroll a group of students who will, individually and collectively, exemplify our commitment to the highest academic standards and the principles of community, inclusion and honor.

Students will apply for admission into the program through the Guarini Institute for International Education's online application process.  Please check the Guarini webpage for deadlines and general questions. Students will submit a brief essay explaining their reasons for wanting to participate in the program and describing their preparation for the program (including course work in NAIS and any relevant life experiences living and/or working in Indigenous communities).  Students will also participate in personal interviews with the program faculty director.