Frequently Asked Questions – Immersion Experiences

What is an immersion experience?

Immersion experiences are 7-10 day trips to domestic and international locations where students are exposed to issues of poverty and injustice while experiencing unique cultures and environments. Students engage in direct service activities, participate in experiential learning, and make educational site visits – while living in the very communities that they are serving.

The Immersion Experience Program has five values: education, service, social justice, community, and spirituality. Program participants are invited to grow in each of these areas during the experience preparation, the trip itself, and the post-trip reflection.

How does �ۿ۴�ý identify sites/locations for the immersion program?

�ۿ۴�ý’s Campus Ministry office works with partner organizations in each of the locations that we host immersion experiences. Each organization considers hosting immersion groups to be part of their mission or organizational objectives. The partnering organizations offer facilitators who are trained in hosting groups, knowledgeable about the local culture, aware of the safety and security procedures of the locations, and in contact with others who have specialized knowledge of the region.

What are the living conditions like for each experience?

While conditions differ from immersion to immersion, in general students are asked to live simply during their experience. Participants are provided with a packing list prior to the trip to ensure that they have the proper items to live simply but comfortably.

Food

Depending on the location, groups may prepare their own meals or have food prepared for them. Participants will always have simple but sufficient meals. Any special dietary needs can usually be met. An emphasis is put on experiencing the local foods and culture of the immersion location.

Lodging

Groups will stay in retreat centers, volunteer houses, or churches, depending on the immersion. Participants will generally sleep in shared rooms or dorm style sleeping spaces. Some experiences require students to bring a sleeping bag and floor mat. Group safety is always the primary concern; activities, lodging, meals, and other activities will always be planned with this in mind.

Travel

Transportation for each experience is dependent on each site. In general, groups will travel by minivan, 10 passenger van, or microbus while at their site area. Groups going to destinations more than approximately 10 hours by vehicle will travel to their site via airplane. International experiences usually require one full day of travel each way, with a connecting flight in one of the larger U.S. airports (Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Newark, etc.) before arriving in their destination.

What commitments does an immersion experience participant make?

Complete required financial payments for the experience.
Participate in preparation meetings (all group meetings and individual group meetings).
Participate in the pre- and post-immersion retreats or reflection sessions.
Participate in post-immersion activities organized by the group.
Students will actively participate in the entire immersion experience, will refrain from the use of alcohol or illegal drugs and respect the judgment of the �ۿ۴�ý staff in regards to safety and adherence to university policies.

Are seniors graduating in May allowed to participate in May immersion experiences?

No. Post-immersion programming and group development are integral to an immersion experience, seniors will not be on-campus the following Fall semester and thus it would not be appropriate for them to be part of a May immersion group.

How much do immersion experiences cost?

Each trip has a different price based on the travel, lodging and programming costs. In general, domestic experiences range from $425 to $875. International experiences cost from $1,700 to $3,000. Students are required to have medical insurance for the time period of the trip. Basic travel insurance is included in the price of all international trips. All experiences have been created to provide a safe, high-quality experience for each participant. All trip prices have been significantly subsidized by �ۿ۴�ý University.

How can I pay for an immersion experience?

Our goal is for students to pay as little out-of-pocket as possible. However, ultimately the student is responsible for complete payment of their experience by the established deadlines.

The �ۿ۴�ý immersion program provides fundraising training and materials. Many students fundraise the entire cost of their experience. Our most effective method has been for participants to ask those they have personal connections with (family, friends, former teachers, church/parish, etc.) for financial assistance through letter writing. Any money raised by individuals above-and-beyond their costs can be applied to another participant who is in need. Money raised beyond the groups’ needs will be donated to agencies the group will come in contact with during their experience.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, financial aid is available for students with significant need. To be considered for financial aid assistance, when you apply please check the appropriate box on the application. Those placed on experience who have applied for financial aid will receive an aid offer with their experience invitation.

What are the general policies for conduct on an immersion?

The same policies that apply to students on campus according to the Community Standards Manual are in place for immersion experiences. Students violating a university regulation or local law risk termination of their experience immediately, at the student’s expense (i.e. transportation home, etc.), or, at least, discipline through the University discipline system.

Is drinking permitted during an immersion experience?

No, the consumption of alcohol is not permitted during immersion experiences, even if a student is of legal age in the state or country the group is visiting. By refraining from drinking, students are able to focus most clearly on the experience at hand and developing positive relationships with their �ۿ۴�ý group members. Drinking can become a road block to building community between students and can hinder the relationships �ۿ۴�ý has established with its partnering agencies. Drinking can also be very dangerous in an unfamiliar city or country because it make you a target for crime or put you in other situations which are not safe.

Are there guidelines bringing electronics? (i.e. smartphones, digital cameras, etc.)

Yes. Because immersion participants will be visiting communities facing varying levels of economic poverty, participants are asked to be very conscious of what items they bring into that community. For example, in Nicaragua it is possible for a student to have an electronic item that is worth more than entire monthly wage of a Nicaraguan worker. In general, we ask that students not bring expensive technology.

These items can detract from the experience of immersion and also often hinder the ability of the student group to develop in their sense of community. Digital cameras, video cameras, and voice recorders, depending on the destination, can be brought. However, special care and understanding that there is always a risk by bring any of these items must be understood.

How are students selected for these experiences?

Students must complete a written application that includes brief essay questions. In addition, each student applying will participate in an interview with immersion representatives. Selection will be based on a student’s willingness to participate in service, examine social justice issues, live in and develop community, discuss the experience in relationship to their own spirituality and values, and commit to continued development from their experience.

What commitments do immersion experience Student Coordinators make?

Preparation

Aid in the recruiting of students for immersion experiences, including publicity.
Aid in selection by interviewing students for experiences.
Serve as liaison between students, faculty/staff liaisons, and Campus Ministry.

Pre-Immersion

Plan and implement preparation meetings in collaboration with faculty/staff liaisons.
Meet regularly with Campus Ministry.
Meet regularly with faculty/staff liaisons.
Develop group dynamic through community building activities.
Mobilize group to fully engage in established fundraising program activities.
Assist Campus Ministry in implementing pre-immersion Retreat/Team-Building Day.

During the Immersion

Promote values of immersion program through words and actions.
Continue to build and monitor group dynamics.
Model immersion program conduct guidelines stated in commitment form.
Communicate with faculty/staff liaisons regarding problems and concerns.
Work with faculty/staff liaisons to facilitate meaningful reflections grounded in the immersion values.
Encourage and motivate participants to fully participate in the experience.
Develop and manage a plan for equal distribution of group chores and responsibilities in collaboration with faculty/staff liaisons.

Post-Immersion

Complete post-experience report and meeting.
Work with faculty/staff liaisons and Campus Ministry to develop and facilitate post-immersion meetings and activities.

What are the necessary qualities and pre-requisites for a student coordinator?

Participation in an immersion experience, ideally the experience the applicant is interested in coordinating.
Demonstrated ability to work with fellow students, faculty/staff liaisons, and the administrators of the Immersion Experience Program.
Outgoing personality and ability to foster community within a group of diverse individuals.
Understanding of and commitment to the values of a �ۿ۴�ý immersion experience (education, service, social justice, community, and spirituality).

What are the perks of being a student coordinator?

In exchange for the work put into the preparation process, we give student coordinators a 25% discount on the cost of their immersion.
Student coordinators are charged with helping to develop the itinerary of the experience, the reflection process, and the overall feel of the immersion. There can be great satisfaction in this sort of ownership of an experience.
Development of leadership/facilitation skills.

What commitments do immersion experience Faculty/Staff liaisons make?

Preparation

Aid in the recruitment of participants by promoting the immersion program.
Assist with immersion development and participate in faculty/staff development opportunities.

Pre-Immersion

Meet regularly with Student Coordinators.
Attend and participate in pre-immersion preparation meetings.
Assist Student Coordinators in planning and implementing preparation meetings.
Develop experience itinerary in collaboration with Partnering Organization and Campus Ministry, as applicable.
Develop experience resource packet in collaboration with Campus Ministry and Student Coordinators.
Participate in faculty/staff liaison development sessions.

During the Immersion

Serve as primary agent of the University in all situations.
Respond to emergencies and communicate necessary information to Campus Ministry.
Be present to participants throughout the experience.
Promote and uphold the values of the immersion program.
Model immersion program conduct guidelines identified in the commitment form.
Work with Student Coordinators to facilitate meaningful reflections grounded in the immersion values.
Encourage and motivate participants to fully participate in the experience.
Develop and manage a plan for equal distribution of group chores and responsibilities in collaboration with Student Coordinators.

Post-Immersion

Complete post-experience report and meeting.
Work with SC’s and Campus Ministry to develop and facilitate post-immersion meetings and activities.

What is an immersion experience?

Immersion experiences are 7-10 day structured trips to domestic and international locations where students are exposed to issues of poverty and injustice while experiencing unique cultures and environments. Students engage in direct service activities, participate in experiential learning, and make educational site visits – while living in the very communities that they are serving.

How does �ۿ۴�ý identify sites/locations for the immersion program?

�ۿ۴�ý’s Campus Ministry Office works with partner organizations in each of the locations that we host immersion experiences. Each organization has a component of hosting immersion groups in their mission or organizational objectives. The partnering organizations offer facilitators who are trained in hosting groups, knowledgeable about the local culture, aware of the safety and security procedures of the locations, and in contact with others who have specialized knowledge of the region.

What are the living conditions like for each experience?

While conditions differ from experience to experience, in general students are asked to live simply during their experience. Participants are provided with packing list prior to their experience to ensure that they have the proper items to live simply but comfortably.

Food

Lodging

Groups will stay in retreat centers, volunteer houses or churches, depending on the trip. Participants will generally sleep in shared rooms or dorm style sleeping spaces. Some experiences require students to bring a sleeping bag and floor mat. Group safety is always the primary concern; activities, lodging, meals and other activities will always be planned with this in mind.

Travel

Transportation for each experience is dependent on each site. In general, groups will travel by minivan, 10 passenger van, or microbus while at their site area. Groups going to destinations more than approximately 10 hours away by vehicle will travel to their site via airplane. International experiences usually require one full day of travel each way, with a connecting flight in one of the larger U.S. airports (Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Newark, etc.) before arriving in their destination.

What commitments does an immersion experience participant make?

Complete required financial payments for the experience.
Participate in pre-trip meetings, retreats and gatherings.
Participate in post-trip activities in order to process the experience.
Students will actively participate in the entire immersion experience, will refrain from the use of alcohol or illegal drugs, and will respect the judgment of the �ۿ۴�ý staff in regards to safety and adherence to University policies.

How much do immersion experiences cost?

Each trip has a different price based on the travel, lodging, and programming costs. In general, domestic experiences range from $475 to $875. International experiences cost from $1,700 to $1,900. Students are required to have medical insurance for the time period of the trip. Travel insurance is included in the price of all international trips. All experiences have been created to provide a safe, high-quality experience for each participant. All trip prices have been significantly subsidized by �ۿ۴�ý University.

How do participants pay for an immersion experience?

Our goal is for students to pay as little out-of-pocket as possible. However, ultimately the student is responsible for complete payment of their experience by the established deadlines.

Is Financial Aid available?

Yes, financial aid is available for students with significant need. To be considered for financial aid assistance, participants should check the appropriate box on the application. Those placed on experience who have applied for financial aid will receive an aid offer with their experience invitation.

What are the general policies for conduct on an immersion?

The same policies that apply to students on campus according to the Community Standards Manual are in place for immersion experiences. Students violating a University regulation or local law risk termination of their experience immediately, at the student’s expense (i.e. transportation home, etc.), or, at least, discipline through the University discipline system.