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Immersions

The Ignatian Center in the World

Immersion Programs & Locations Jean Donovan Fellowship

Application Process 

Selected participants for immersions will be expected to attend 4–5 pre-trip meetings, a post-immersion welcome meeting, and commit to the completion of a Solidarity Action Plan upon their return (1-3 independent meetings).

Summer Break 2023 Immersion
applications are open
Feb 28 - April 9, 2023.

 

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Immersions

Immersion experiences, both local and global, are designed to help participants see the world with new eyes, to recognize the unjust suffering in a context that is different to their own, practice solidarity with marginalized communities, and to allow those experiences to inform their vocational discernment. In the words of Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, the Ignatian Center strives to empower immersion participants "to let the reality of this world into their lives, so they can learn to feel it, think about it critically, respond to its suffering, and engage it constructively." These immersion experiences, and the profound reflection to which they naturally give rise, are privileged moments of vocational discernment during which participants are uniquely invited to consider their place in the world.  


Immersions and ELSJ

Immersions can count as part of your Experiential Learning for Social Justice (ELSJ) requirement. Enroll and participate in an Ignatian Center immersion and request permission for the assessment manager for Undergraduate Studies in advance of beginning the immersion preparation. You will register for a directed study (1 credit) class. Coursework will allow you to reflect on the immersion experience and explore what it means to live in solidarity with our local and global community. Course assignments include critical reflections and an academic research paper.


 

Upcoming Immersions

Summer Break 2023 Immersions

Spring Break 2023 Immersions

Navigate here to Labor & Environmental Justice Navigate here to Labor & Environmental JusticeAppalachia
Navigate here to Labor & Environmental Justice
Labor & Environmental Justice

Appalachia
Participants will engage with individuals and communities in the Appalachian region and their fight for social and ecological justice amidst a complex cultural history.

Navigate here to United Against Anti-Blackness Navigate here to United Against Anti-Blackness
Navigate here to United Against Anti-Blackness
United Against Anti-Blackness
Dominican Republic
Participants will learn from Dominican Republic community members and non-profit organizations about the intersection of anti-blackness with education, migration, and economic access.

The four pillars that guide our immersion programs are:

  • Jenna making tortillas

    COMMUNITY


    UNITE with individuals from all walks of life

    CREATE potential lifelong friendships

    ENGAGE with communities with limited access to wealth, power, and privilege

  • Spiral stained glass square

    SPIRITUALITY


    LEARN about the Ignatian Spiritual Tradition

    EXPERIENCE a faith that does justice, and explore what it means to find God in all things

    REFLECT on and investigate questions of meaning and purpose in the midst of the world's brokenness

  • Looking at border wall 2

    SOCIAL JUSTICE


    ACCOMPANY those on the margins who are experiencing various forms of injustice

    BUILD relationships, and see, experience, and understand a reality apart from your own

    DISCERN how to respond in action

  • NIcaragua picking coffee beans

    SIMPLICITY


    CULTIVATE authentic, just relationships

    REFLECT on the value placed on material goods in your life, the local community, and the greater world

    EMBRACE a spirituality of simplicity, and learn to do less in order to be more

The Immersion Process

After applying and being selected for an immersion trip you will participate in the pre-immersion preparation process. Immersion teams will meet 4-5 times in the weeks leading up to the immersion (Tuesdays 5:45-7:15pm) and all participants will attend a weekend retreat intended for team building and reflection on themes that will be deepened through the immersion itself. Immersion participants commit to attending all team meetings and the pre-immersion retreat. These are opportunities for your team to reflect, share and get to know one another, to learn more about the community you will be visiting and the current issues facing that community and to pass on details on trip preparation, travel, etc.

*Please note: As of Winter 2023, all Immersion related meetings will take place on Tuesdays from 5:45-7:15 pm.

On your immersion you will be accompanied by a student Immersion Coordinator and/or an Immersion Companion (SCU faculty, staff, or graduate student). Your immersion team will be hosted by a local organization that will take care of the logistics for your stay. Each immersion varies in terms of what activities you will participate in so please be open and flexible. During your immersion you will have the opportunity engage with the local community and learn about the issues facing its members, as well as connect with the other immersion participants and share in reflection about the impact of  the experience.

While the immersion has ended, the full experience is a journey that is never truly over. More than an end goal, we believe that the immersion itself is a starting point for ongoing reflective and critical engagement of the realities of our local and global community. For this reason, participants commit to meeting at least 3 times upon return from the trip to continue processing, sharing stories, and determining next steps toward integrating the immersion experience into life at Santa Clara and beyond. Immersion companions, Ignatian staff members, and other members of the Santa Clara community are here as a resource to assist as you integrate your immersion into post-immersion life. 

Our students reflect on the time they spent during their immersion trip to Nicaragua nearly 3 years ago.

Immersions - Making an Impact

Navigate here to Read More The Infinite Impact of ImmersionsYajaira
Navigate here to Read More The Infinite Impact of Immersions
The Infinite Impact of Immersions

After graduating from SCU, Yajaira "Yaya" Morales-Vidovich '11 entered the teaching profession well prepared. It was her experience on immersion trips, however, that Yaya credits for shaping not only her professional path, but her personal journey as well.


Navigate here to Read More The Infinite Impact of ImmersionsRead More
Navigate here to Read More A Catalyst for SolidarityKino Border
Navigate here to Read More A Catalyst for Solidarity
A Catalyst for Solidarity

During the Summer of 2018, the Ignatian Center sent 8 SCU faculty and staff members to Nogales, Arizona and Sonora, Mexico in collaboration with Kino Border Initiative. This organization helps make humane and just migration between the U.S. and Mexico a reality.


Navigate here to Read More A Catalyst for SolidarityRead More
Navigate here to Read More Humanizing HomelessnessMandi Sit Square
Navigate here to Read More Humanizing Homelessness
Humanizing Homelessness

Mandi Sit '20 first encountered the Ignatian Center when she decided to sign up for the San Jose First-Year Immersion trip the summer before starting at SCU. Find out how that trip and her two additional immersion experiences impacted her time at SCU.


Navigate here to Read More Humanizing HomelessnessRead More
Navigate here to Accompaniment and Intentional Communities Navigate here to Accompaniment and Intentional Communities
Navigate here to Accompaniment and Intentional Communities
Accompaniment and Intentional Communities

Ecuador
Experience living in an intentional intercultural community that supports each other’s spiritual and personal growth with love, acceptance, and understanding. The focus is primarily about education and healthcare needs in the community with the aim of prioritizing authentic relationships and acting to end injustice.

Navigate here to Transformative Justice, Healing and Hope Navigate here to Transformative Justice, Healing and Hope
Navigate here to Transformative Justice, Healing and Hope
Transformative Justice, Healing and Hope

Los Angeles
Stand with the demonized so the demonizing will stop. Challenge your prejudice and open your heart and mind to healing and hope. Participants will bear witness of the possibility of creating a positive ripple effect not only around the city of Los Angeles, but in communities around the world.

Navigate here to Indigenous Sovereignty and Human Rights Navigate here to Indigenous Sovereignty and Human RightsChiapas Mexico Immersion
Navigate here to Indigenous Sovereignty and Human Rights
Indigenous Sovereignty and Human Rights

Chiapas Mexico
Participants will immerse themselves in Chiapas’ highlands, discovering the importance of indigenous sovereignty and human rights in building a more just, sustainable and humane world.

 

Navigate here to Community Organizing for Social Transformation Navigate here to Community Organizing for Social TransformationCosta Rica LEAD scholar exclusive
Navigate here to Community Organizing for Social Transformation
Community Organizing for Social Transformation
Costa Rica for LEAD Scholars
Participants will learn about the complexities, challenges, achievements of Costa Rica through the local people, community experts, and leaders who are striving to create a stronger and more just society.
Navigate here to Grassroot Environmental Justice Navigate here to Grassroot Environmental JusticeFlint Michigan Water Tower
Navigate here to Grassroot Environmental Justice
Grassroot Environmental Justice

Flint, Michigan
Participants will deepen their understanding of social justice and community organizing while building meaningful connections with fellow participants and community members in Flint, Michigan.

 

Navigate here to Class of 2027 Immersion Navigate here to Class of 2027 ImmersionSan Jose First Year Immersion - Class of 2027
Navigate here to Class of 2027 Immersion
Class of 2027 Immersion
San Jose
Participants will learn about San Jose's social justice issues and meet with community leaders and organizations, all while getting to know fellow Class of 2026 Broncos and moving into their dorm early!