Immersion Programs
Spring Hill Immersion programs consist of both our International Service Immersion Program (ISIP) and our Jesuit Experience Trips (JET). Through these programs, we seek to accompany the most marginalized through service and build mutual relationships through learning, leading us to answer a call to advocate for justice. ISIP focuses on areas in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. In the past, we have traveled to Punta Gorda, Belize; Belize City, Belize; the Dominican Republic; Quito, Ecuador; and Guyana.
JET is a program focused specifically on Jesuit social ministries in the United States. In our domestic program, students are asked to reflect on how they are called to respond to issues of social justice within their own country. This program also concentrates more on a “faith that does justice” as a priority of the Society of Jesus. Through trips to Appalachia, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and El Paso, students have witnessed Jesuits who accompany the poor and marginalized in their ministry.
- International service
- Caribbean, South America, Central America
- During Mardi Gras Break, Easter, and Summer
- Undergraduate students 19 +
- Cost $1,100 – covers flights, lodging, all in country meals, and activities.
- Domestic service
- Pine Ridge Reservation, El Paso, TX, Los Angeles
- During Winter, Mardi Gras, Easter, or Summer
- Undergraduate students 18 +
- Cost $800 – covers flights, lodging, all trip meals, and activities.
What to Expect
Learning
Through immersion we focus on mutual relationships with the people we meet and accompany. Students spend 5 months meeting weekly with their groups to learn about the country, people, and our partners. Our curriculum follows the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm of context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation, as well as The Pastoral Cycle of see, judge, and act.
Service
Where hands and hearts are led with compassion. Immersion experiences offer students to seek faith and justice in action together. Students experience a variety of service through building a house, completing a community project, or just being in the presence of – allowing someone to share their stories and recognizing their life holds dignity.
Faith
Immersion has a place for students of all backgrounds and spirituality/beliefs. With morning and nightly reflections, students immerse themselves in reflecting upon their faith, their education and vocational desires. They follow the role of being contemplatives in action.
Community
Through it all we build community. With each immersion group, our partners and the people in country, and our loyal alumni base – community is interwoven every step of the way. Groups are diverse with class years, majors, and friend groups. This creates an open space for each induvial to expand their communities on campus.
Student Testimonies
Our students reflect on the meaningful insights and experiences they gained through our ISIP and JET programs. Here is a glimpse of what these students have to say.
“I think words fall short when trying to describe an experience like ISIP! It was truly a beautiful experience full of God’s presence. I saw the face of Christ in the children at the Center, the staff at the center, people working in markets, and in my own group members. I learned that the more I step outside of myself and focus on the good of the other, the more in line my will becomes with that of the Father’s – that is something I hope to carry with me for the rest of my life!”
– Ecuador ’23
“I could not be more grateful for the conversations, experiences, or people that ISIP brought. I am extremely humbled by and grateful for everything I have learned through this experience and am excited to continue learn about social justice and responding to the needs of our world. “
– Belize City ’22
“That life is best when it is in service of others. Actions speak louder than words and my faith is on fire because of this desire to help others.”
– Punta Gorda ’22
“I remember walking in the mornings to watch the sunrise, we would all get our coffee and meet downstairs, then we would walk towards the water and along the path. One morning we got homemade donuts from down the street. I also had a very enlightening conversation with a man named Smitty on the boat ride back from Caye Caulker. We talked almost the entire hour boat ride back. He shared his story with me and we shared our perspectives on life, and our experiences and the similarities we had as well as the differences.”
– Belize City ’23
“I enjoyed listening to people’s individual experiences. It becomes easy to view topics such as immigration only on a wide scale while forgetting the individual lives it impacts. Speaking to people at the border revitalized the importance of the fight against harmful immigration laws.”
– El Paso ’22
“This group gave me a safe space to connect out loud and for the first time in my life I read from my bible aloud to a group and led a reflection on the day through the scripture I read. I also read scripture at the house blessing which was a huge step for me because I have never publicly read the word aloud. I was nervous, but the community around me was so open and accepting and I felt comfortable making that step. I think it was a huge step in my relationship with God because I have been working this past year to get closer to them. First my relationship with God got stronger, and then my relationship with myself, and Belize helped me strengthen my relationship with others- and I believe they are all connected through God.”
– Belize City ’23
“That life is best when it is in service of others. Actions speak louder than words and my faith is on fire because of this desire to help others.”
– Punta Gorda ’22
“I learned about the social justice issues at the border city of Dajabon. We traveled with Nancy, a resident of Dajabon, around the city to the different initiatives she participates in and facilitates. Some include helping women and children, environmental justice through reforestation and beekeeping, and racial justice projects to help improve the current dynamic between Haitians and Dominicans.”
– Dominican Republic ’23
Travel Highlights
Belize City, Belize
We partner with Hand in Hand Ministries to build a 16×20 house from the ground up. During the week students accompany the family they are building alongside and hear their stories. Students also travel to Hand in Hand building in Belize to learn about their HIV/AIDS support services, preschool and daycare services.
Pine Ridge, South Dakota
Students travel to Pine Ridge Reservation to immerse themselves in Indigenous history and Lakota culture. They visit Red Cloud Indian School, a Lakota Jesuit school. Throughout the week they have guest speakers discuss Lakota and Catholic spirituality, health care system and the education system on the reservation.
Quito, Ecuador
Through our service with The Center – A Family of Families, we work on a house with a family, shadow in classrooms and technical departments, share and serve meals, and learn about the healthcare support they offer to young children. We are immersed into the culture of Quito and learn about the issues that the Ecuadorian people face. Groups also participate in a “minga” – a community construction project.
Dominican Republic and Guyana
Our partnership with the Caribbean Social Immersion Program allows students to fully immerse themselves into the social justice issues that are facing the local communities. In the Dominican Republic students will discuss immigration and racial justice issues with Dominicans and Haitians. In Guyana, students discuss the environmental issues facing the Amazonian region. During both trips students meet with various community leaders and their learn about their initiatives to help these issues.
El Paso, Texas
With the Encuentro Project, our students attend educational talks by social service agencies and legal aid organizations on the reality of immigration. Our students also work with Annunciation House, which offers hospitality to migrants, immigrants, and refugees in the border region of El Paso, TX.
Punta Gorda, Belize
Through St. Peter Claver, a Jesuit Parish in Punta Gorda, students travel to a Mayan village outside of Punta Gorda to do construction on one of the parish projects.
Los Angeles, California
Working with Dolores Mission in Boyle Heights, student spend a week volunteering with IMPACTO, LA Catholic Worker, Guadeloupe Homeless Project, and touring Homeboy Industries. Students learn about food insecurity, advocacy for the unhoused/low-income, and rehab and re-entry programs for previously incarcerated individuals.
Costa Rica
Students embark on an environmental pilgrimage making way throughout the Costa Rica landscape by participating in various stages of the Camino de Costa Rica. Students learn about the indigenous region, cloud forest, and have homestays during the week.
Want to Learn More? Contact Us!
Rachel Younce, Director of Campus Ministry
ryounce@shc.edu
251-380-3494
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