Santa Clara University

Applications for the Immersion Companion positions for the Spring Break immersions are due by 3:00pm on Thursday, January 26th.

Click here to access the online application.

Become an Immersion Companion

Thank you for your interest in becoming an Immersion Companion. This is an exciting position that engages a faculty member, staff member, or graduate student of Santa Clara with one of our domestic or international immersion experiences.

The primary role of the Immersion Companion is to be present to the group and share from his/her own experience. The Student Coordinator handles the majority of the logistical components and reflection facilitation. The Immersion Companion participates fully in all the components of the trip, shares his/her life experience with the students to provide a different perspective, and acts as a “wisdom figure.” The Immersion Companion also undertakes responsibility in the event of an emergency, and agrees to be a regular driver on the trip. (Driving does not apply to San Francisco, Tucson, or international immersions)

Specifically, Immersion Companions are expected to engage in some or all of the following activities:

Pre-trip:

Attend 4 pre-trip meetings, schedule permitting, to begin to connect with the group and learn about the trip, expectations, and reality of the immersion community

During Immersion:

• Participate in group work project on immersion, group reflections, and all other group activities that arise on the trip
• Model appropriate behavior throughout the immersion experience. Immersion Companions are expected to follow the immersion conduct agreement and support the Immersion Coordinator in holding students accountable to the conduct agreement.
• Drive one of the rental vehicles during the trip (Not applicable for the San Francisco, Tucson, and international immersions)
• Handle any emergency situations that may arise on the immersion with the coordination of the student leader, host organization and Kolvenbach staff

Post-trip:

• Attend 2-3 post-trip meetings, schedule permitting, held in the quarter following the immersion to connect the experience back to campus
• Be a conversation partner with students upon return as they deal with the challenge of integrating their immersion experience into their lives at SCU
• Evaluate the program and process

Throughout:

• Model mature and honest sharing during reflections (if Immersion Companion is open and honest with their sharing, students often follow their lead)
• Be available for 1-1 mentoring and support to participants as the need arises
• Support and challenge Student Coordinator and Participants

The Ignatian Center will cover travel, lodging, program, and food costs for Immersion Companions for the duration of the trip.

Applications Available Online

Applications for the Immersion Companion positions for the Spring Break immersions are due by 3:00pm on Thursday, January 26th.

Click here to access the online application.

For more information about this position, please contact Michael Nuttall at mnuttall@scu.edu or (408) 554-2747