STUDENT COORDINATORS
What is an immersion experience sponsored by John Carroll University?
An opportunity to spend time away from John Carroll engaged in experiential learning and service, specifically being immersed in the challenges that people face in other parts of our country and world. Students will be challenged to develop in the following five areas:
EDUCATION - Examining economic, historic, and socio-political issues that face people & the environment globally
SOCIAL JUSTICE - Discover social justice and social action efforts with the goal of eliminating injustice for all
SPIRITUALITY - Explore the role of faith and spirituality in service and social action
SERVICE - Recognizing the importance of meeting immediate needs of people & the environment through service
COMMUNITY - Engage in sustainable relationships with people, communities, institutions and the environment
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How does John Carroll identify sites/locations for the "Immersion" program?
JCU's Campus Ministry and Center for Service and Social Action Office work with partner organizations in each of the locations that we host immersion experiences. Each organization has some component of hosting immersion groups in their mission or organizational objectives. The partnering organization offers our students professionals and volunteers trained in hosting groups, understanding the safety and security procedures of the lodging and site locations, an understanding of the local culture, and personal relationships and contacts with knowledgeable experts in the region.
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What are the living conditions like for each experience?
While conditions differ from experience to experience, in general students are asked to live simply during their experience. Participants are provided with packing list prior to their experience to ensure that they have the proper items to live simply but comfortably.
FOOD - Groups will prepare and cook most meals and individuals will take on responsibility for specific chores to help the group live from day to day. Depending on the location, groups may prepare their own meals or have food prepared for them. Participants will always have simple but sufficient meals. Any special dietary needs can be met.
LODGING - Groups will stay in retreat centers, volunteer houses or churches, depending on the trip. Participants will generally sleep in shared rooms or dorm style sleeping spaces. Some experiences require students to bring a sleeping bag and floor mat. Group safety is always the primary concern; activities, lodging, meals and other activities will always be planned with this in mind.
TRAVEL - Transportation for each experience is dependent on each site. In general, groups will travel by minivan, 10 passenger van, or micro bus while at their site area. Groups going to destinations more than approximately 10 hours by vehicle will travel to their site via airplane. International experiences usually require one full day of travel each way, with a connecting flight in one of the larger U.S. airports (Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Newark, etc.) before arriving in their destination.
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What commitments does an immersion experience participant make?
- Complete required financial payments for the experience
- Participate in pre-trip meetings (times & dates will be determined by the groups)
- Participate in the pre-trip and post-trip retreats or processing sessions
- Participate in post-trip activities organized by the group
- Students will actively participate in the entire immersion trip, will refrain from the use of alcohol or illegal drugs and respect the judgment of the JCU staff in regards to safety and adherence to university policies
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What commitments do immersion experience Student Coordinators make?
Trip Preparation
- Aid in the recruiting of students for immersion experiences, including publicity
- Aid in selection by interviewing students for trips
- Serve as liaison between students/FSA Leaders and coordinating off.
Pre-Trip
- Plan and implement preparation meetings in collaboration with FSA Leaders
- Meet regularly with Coordinating Office
- Meet regularly with FSA Leaders
- Develop group dynamic through community building activities
- Mobilize group to fully engage in established fundraising program activities
- Assist Coordinating Office in implementing pre-trip Retreat/Team-Building Day
During the Trip
- Promote values of immersion program through words and actions
- Continue to build and monitor group dynamics
- Model immersion program conduct guidelines stated in commitment form
- Communicate with FSA Leaders regarding problems and concerns
- Work with FSA Leaders to facilitate meaningful reflections grounded in the immersion values
- Encourage and motivate participants to fully participate in the experience
- Develop and manage a plan for equal distribution of group chores and responsibilities in collaboration with FSA Leaders
Post-Trip
- Complete post-experience report and meeting
- Work with FSA Leaders and Coordinating Office to develop and facilitate post-trip meetings and activities
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How much do immersion experiences cost?
Each trip has a different price based on the travel, lodging and programming costs. Domestic experiences range from $400 to $650. International experiences cost $1,200. Students are required to have medical insurance for the time period of the trip. Travel insurance is included in the price of all international trips. All experiences have been created to provide a safe high-quality experience for each participant. All trip prices have been significantly subsidized by John Carroll University. Student coordinators receive a 33% discount off of the price of their experience as a form of compensation for their time and energy.
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How can I pay for an immersion experience?
Our goal is for students to pay as little out-of-pocket as possible. However, ultimately the student is responsible for complete payment of their experience by the established deadlines.
Students can participate in fundraisers organized through the "Immersion" program. In addition, participants will ask those they have personal connections with (family, friends, former teachers, church/parish, etc.) for financial assistance through letter writing. Any money raised by individuals above-and-beyond their costs can be applied to another participant who is in need. Money raised beyond the groups needs will be donated to agencies the group will come in contact with during their experience.
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Are there guidelines bringing electronics? (i.e. i-Pods, digital cameras, etc.)
Yes. Because immersion participants will be visiting communities facing varying levels of economic poverty, participants are asked to be very conscious of what items they bring into that community. For example, in Nicaragua it is possible for a student to have an electronic item that is worth more than entire monthly wage of a Nicaraguan worker. In general, we ask that students not bring i-Pods, MP3 players, etc.
These items can detract from the experience of "immersion" and also often hinder the ability of the student group to develop in their sense of community. Digital cameras, video cameras, and voice recorders, depending on the destination, can be brought. However, special care and understanding that there is always a risk by bring any of these items must be understood.
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Are the policies for student conduct different during an immersion experience?
No. The same policies that apply to students on campus according to the Community Standards Manual are in place for immersion experiences. Students violating a university regulation or local law risk termination of their experience immediately, at the student's expense (i.e. transportation home, etc.).
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Is drinking permitted during an immersion experience?
No, the consumption of alcohol is not permitted during immersion experiences, even if a student is of legal age in the state or country the group is visiting. By refraining from drinking, students are able to focus most clearly on the experience at hand and developing positive relationships with their JCU group members. Drinking can become a road block to building community between students and can hinder the relationships John Carroll has established with its partnering agencies.
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How are students selected for these experiences?
Students must complete a written application that includes brief essay questions. In addition, each student applying will participate in an interview with "Immersion" representatives. Selection will be based on a student’s willingness to participate in service, examine social justice issues, live in and develop community, discuss the experience in relationship to their own spirituality and values, and commit to continued development from their experience.
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