Santa Clara University

“Searcher, there is no road. We make the road by walking.” -- Antonio Machado

Hey everyone! My name is Scott and I’m currently a senior Philosophy major here at SCU. I love live music, Chicago Cubs baseball, and aimless travel. From Chicago originally, I came to Santa Clara with the hope of seeing a different part of the country. Little did I know this would only be a stepping-stone towards becoming a member of a greater, global community!

I participated in my first immersion experience two years ago. With a group from Santa Clara, we traveled to Ecuador and my eyes were opened. The insight, knowledge, and friendship I gained on that trip helped to push me to study abroad for the entirety of my junior year. Splitting time between El Salvador and Rome, I was awakened to the growing disparities of healthcare opportunities around the world.

Able to see the necessity for global solidarity and social justice, I feel so grateful for my immersion experience (knowing that it was there where this all started). I am blessed to be sharing this walk with you over spring break, and I hope you all consider applying! If you have any questions or concerns, I would love to chat!

Hey there! I am Carolyn, a senior Environmental Science major. I am originally from San Francisco but lived in Los Angeles for a while as well. At Santa Clara, I spend my time as the SCCAP LUCHA program coordinator under the Education and Mentoring department, dabble a little bit in environmental justice issues, and am beginning a journey as a DISCOVER retreat leader. I am an avid crafter and holiday decorator and also aspire to be a home gardener, fisherwoman, and ultimate Frisbee enthusiast.

In the past, I participated on the West Virginia, Tijuana and Puebla immersion trips. I think immersion trips have this wonderful power that makes students question and engage in the world. These trips teach us how to listen both to the people we encounter and the changes happening within ourselves. By meeting new people from different backgrounds and getting us out of our comfort zones, immersion trips give us a different perspective on the world and our place within it. I am excited to accompany my peers through this experience as we discover new adventures and friends together.

Hey everyone! I’m Erin, a senior Biology and Spanish major from Portland, OR. I’m really excited at the prospect of getting to know some of the unknown faces I see on campus during this year’s spring break immersion experience. You’ll find that I’m really just a big goof at heart and will always be ready for a good dance party if the opportunity arises. Here on campus, I am a facilitator for Women and Gender Studies’ Resource Room, as well as a proud member of GASPED.

I feel like many experiences in my life have been leading up to my position as an Immersion Coordinator this year. Freshman year I went on the Tijuana immersion trip and had the opportunity to experience a vastly different reality for the first time in my life. In many ways that trip influenced my decision to spend half of my junior year studying abroad in El Salvador. During my time in El Salvador I think I learned a lot about not only a different reality, but also about what it means to connect with people on a level that is beyond cultural or social situations. The love that I shared with what is now my Salvadoran family has shaped who I am and will be for the rest of my life.

I am so excited to embark on another journey that will have its own challenges and rewards, and to do so in the company of what I’m sure will be an amazing group of people.

Hi, my name is Cody, and I am a twenty three year old senior majoring in anthropology. Sometimes it is the tried and true that works the best and that is the most comfortable. However, sometimes we need to step away from what is comfortable and really throw ourselves out there…

I transferred to Santa Clara as a junior and am also a commuter student. As such when I came to SCU I knew practically no one. I originally signed up for the spring immersion as a way of meeting people. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I do not mean to say that it was a good decision because I met new people (although that did happen), I say that it was the best decision because that trip changed who I am as a person.

I was part of the group that traveled to Appalachia in Spring 2009. The trip to Appalachia certainly did throw me out of my comfort zone, and in doing so allowed me to view things in a completely new light. I consider the trip as the foremost highlight in my career at SCU. That is why I am all too happy and feel deeply honored to lead an immersion trip myself. I sincerely look forward to the opportunity to facilitate reflections and aide in the immersion experience.

The way I see it, immersion trips helps us see a world that’s known but hidden to us. My name is Yajaira Morales, also known as Yaya. I am a junior majoring in English and Spanish with a minor in Urban Education. I’ve moved around all my life, but my home is in Hayward, CA. At SCU, I am a happy CF in Sobrato and I love my 3rd floor. I’m also the Student Advisor for MEChA-El Frente.

I have gone on only one immersion trip: East L.A. but it changed my life. I was given the opportunity to meet people who I will never forget. I will forever remember the children. Their existence and joy in the little things they have gives me strength to get up every morning and work for a better world. I wanted to be an immersion coordinator so that I could serve as a guide for others, the way my coordinator did. I want my group to experience the way a community is challenging, touching, and hauntingly beautiful.

For those who have not gone on an immersion trip I would say do it: you will not return as the same person but as a more conscious person. For those who have gone on one I would say go on another one: learning about one community is never enough.

Hi, I’m Diana Tarantino from Menlo Park, California and currently a senior, Sociology and Environmental Studies major. Besides being an immersion coordinator, I am a Search Retreat Leader, a Donovan Fellow, and a student-aid at Kids on Campus.

Since my first immersion to San Francisco during sophomore year, I have developed into an immersion-junkie. I had such a great time learning about a culture different from my own, forming relationships with the people I met and relating my experience to the growth of my faith that I have continued going on immersions. I have participated in the Ecuador, Central Valley and Mexico immersions.

I try to live by Gandhi’s motto, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The Kolvenbach Immersions allow me to live out this mission. The immersions allow participants to view life differently and encourage change upon their return to Santa Clara. I am excited and grateful to be a part of this spring break’s immersion trips. I look forward to seeing how an immersion experience can transform lives as it did for me!

Hi! I'm Elena and I'm a senior Biochemistry and Music major from Seattle, Washington. On campus I have been actively involved in ArtsReach and Charisma as well as being a member of the Music and Chemistry Clubs.

Freshman year I was fortunate enough to go on the Tuba City Immersion trip. This experience opened my eyes to not only a new culture, but also a fresh perspective to world views. This trip peaked my interest in understanding the similarities and differences of peoples perspectives, which further increased my involvement on campus. The Tuba City immersion trip was the beginning of my excursions. Since then, I have been on the Tijuana and El Salvador immersion trips and will be going on the New Orleans immersion trip this December.

I'm excited to lead an immersion trip not only for my own experience but to share this unforgettable experience with new people! There really is an immersion trip for everyone so give it a chance and you may be surprised!