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Costa Rica mountains two men walking

Community Organizing for Social Transformation

COSTA RICA

Friday, December 11 - Sunday, December 20, 2026
Cost: $2,600

Get an inside glimpse of Costa Rica and learn about its complexities and challenges as well as its achievements. You will hear from the local people, community experts, and leaders who are striving to create a stronger and more just society. Each from a different perspective, from environmental justice and the complexities of ecotourism, to the first-hand stories of migration, immigration, and deportation woven among the interactive experiences and daily reflection sessions. We will be partnering with Augsburg University Center for Global Education and Experience, who have decades of collaboration experience in the area, and invite us to experience a variety of field encounters that stem from their long-term relationships in each community.

Participants need to complete an additional application form with Augsburg to be accepted into the program. You can access the Augsburg application here.

Commitment Expectations:
All participants are required to attend mandatory formation meetings before departure to prepare spiritually, intellectually, and culturally for this transformative experience.

  • Formation Meeting 1 | What is an Immersion?
    Tuesday | Nov 3 | 5:45 - 7:15 PM
  • Formation Meeting 2 | Spirituality
    Tuesday | Nov 10 | 5:45 - 7:15 PM
  • International Pre-Departure Meeting
    Thursday | Nov 12 | 5:45 - 6:30 PM
  • Formation Meeting 3 | Immersion Retreat | Community
    Saturday | Nov 14 | 9 AM - 4 PM (all-day retreat)
  • Formation Meeting 4 | Simplicity
    Tuesday | Nov 17 | 5:45 - 7:15 PM
  • Formation Meeting 5 | Social Justice
    Tuesday | Dec 1  | 5:45 - 7:15 PM
  • Welcome Back Meeting
    Tuesday | Jan 12 | 5:45 - 7:15 PM 

International Travel:
This program includes traveling abroad; you will need a valid passport and may need vaccinations to participate. Passports should have at least six months of validity when traveling internationally. Please review the current university advice regarding global engagement. 

Application Process:

  • September 1 | Application Open Date
  • October 12 | Application Deadline
  • October 19 | Student Notification (for interview/waitlist)
  • October 19-29 | 1-1 Meeting with Students
  • October 30 | Student Commitment Due Date
APPLY HERE by October 12 for Winter Break Immersions
Costa Rica SM25 Square group standing in tall green foliage

We are All Human, After All

For Simone Smith '28, the Summer 2025 Costa Rica Immersion was an eye-opening experience. Not only did it cement her commitment to become a Human Rights Attorney and make her recognize that her own position in this world is a privilege, but it opened her eyes to our shared humanity.

Saron Weldemariam 26

Why I Do the Things I Do

For LEAD Scholar Saron Weldemariam ’26, it took a life-changing Ignatian Center Immersion in Costa Rica to shift her perspective and remind her of her purpose and why what she was doing mattered. "Education is the reason my family came to this country, and I want to honor that.”

Please note: Although this video is from CGEE's semester program, the two programs hold many similarities and the video serves as a great example of the Costa Rica immersion experience.