International Spring Breakouts

Applications open August 15, 2022 on Studio Abroad (The Center for International Program's website) and are due January 15, 2023.

Spend part of your spring break engaging with others in locations around the globe, such as Ecuador and Puerto Rico. These experiences strive for a greater sense of global solidarity and understanding in the hearts, minds, and actions of all participants. Students will grow individually and as a group in faith-sharing, reflection, service and learning. 

These trips are big commitment of time, energy and resources, but the reward is priceless. Please talk over the commitment with your family before applying. 

When you go to apply at Studio Abroad, click on “Search Programs” and look for the location to which you wish to apply. Apply for your first choice. There will be a section to declare a second or third choice of trip.

CRISPAZ- Christians for Peace in El Salvador

Date: March 11-19, 2023

The group will travel to San Salvador, El Salvador through CRISPAZ (Christians for Peace in El Salvador). The experience will include opportunities to meet Salvadorans, hear their stories, and accompany them for a short time in their daily lives. There will be a two-night family stay in the campos, learning from the community on how they continue to rebuild post-civil war. This experience is full of educational, experiential, and spiritual opportunities for growth. Truly an educational immersion experience, as participants have a chance to see first-hand sights of triumph and trial in El Salvador’s economic, spiritual, and political history and present. 

Estimated Cost: $1200 (program expenses, room and board). Airfare is approximately $900

Applications open on October 15, 2022:  http://studioabroad.udayton.edu/  Click on Search Programs and complete the application before January 15^th.  

Quito, Otangachi and Otonga, Ecuador

Date: March 11-19, 2023

This group will travel to Ecuador and work with the Marianists. They will learn about the local history, culture, climate, government and topography. Participants will see the city life of Quito and the rural life in the rainforests in the Otangachi and Otonga areas, volunteering with the local, indigenous community. Students will grow in understanding of the local culture and the joys and struggles of maintaining a viable rainforest environment for the planet and its inhabitants. Some knowledge of Spanish is helpful for this BreakOut.

Estimated Cost: $1000 (program expenses, room and board). Airfare is approximately $1200

Applications open October 15, 2022: http://studioabroad.udayton.edu/  Click on Search Programs and complete the application before January 15^th.  

Learn about how a partnership and friendship between two biologists, one a Marianist in Ecuador and the other a professor at UD, has created and sustained the Center for Social Concern's BreakOut to Ecuador in this feature story in The University of Dayton Magazine, written by Dominic Sanfilippo '16.

Puerto Rico

Date: March 11-19, 2023

Take a cultural, learning-based immersion to the wonderful island commonwealth of Puerto Rico.  This BreakOut group will first spend time in the mountains at the Marianist retreat house, stepping into the beauty of the forest and away from the distractions of phones and internet. Then, travel down to San Juan, Old San Juan, experience the culture and the beauty of the island.  Learn of the rich history, the lasting effects of colonization and the slave trade, and of the unique island culture that will welcome you.  The group will also spend time in with the local community in the city, guided by LocalGuest, a local and female owned company. There will be other excursion throughout the week. 

Estimated Cost: $800 (program expenses, room and board). Airfare is approximately $800

PAYMENT Information

Each student must pay the cost of the trip. 

There will be a $300 deposit due at time of acceptance and commitment to the program. 

As part of your International/ Puerto Rico Breakout/Immersion experience, you will be registered in an Experiential Learning Course (EXP). This is a non-credit bearing course which is the Breakout/Immersion experience itself. It will show up on your official transcript that you participated in this immersion experience as a measure of your further involvement and learning at the University of Dayton.

All final payments for the trip will be processed through your student account according to the billing cycles. If you receive a grant from the Center for Social Concern or another campus entity, that will show up as a credit on your account.

Deposits will be charge through Studio Abroad. 

A student who cancels after committing to the trip/flight purchases will be responsible for the cost ensued. Students will receive a flight voucher for canceled flights in their name.  

Groups or individuals are encouraged to fundraise to reduce the cost. 

The program cost of the trip covers ground transportation, lodging, and most food. Plan on bringing some spending money. Airfare is subject to change. 

Some funds have been set aside for partial scholarships based on need (Please contact Mary Niebler with questions about the scholarship.)

Additional costs for trips outside of the U.S.:

• $100 UD Center for International Programs fee. This is separate from the trip cost and goes to cover health and safety oversight for our international/ Puerto Rico travelers.
• Passport (if you don’t already have one) $145 for a US Passport. Non-US citizens will require a valid passport from their country of citizenship and may require a visa fee, depending on country. Passport must be valid for 6 months after trip dates. US citizens do not need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico.
• Vaccination: costs vary widely/ health insurance varies/ which shots you need varies
• Spending money

PREPARATION MEETINGS

Participants must attend weekly preparation meetings with the group. This is a major commitment. You must be willing to commit your time and energy to this effort or you will lose your place on the trip. The purpose of the meetings is to build group comradery, grow together in faith sharing, and to become prepared to enter into your cross-cultural experience.

If you would like more information, contact Mary Niebler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a COVID-19 vaccine be required?

Yes.

How do we travel?

International BreakOut groups will travel together to and from their destination, starting from UD. We ask that all students be back on campus the night before your departure (unless you are local and can meet in the morning or at the airport). We will arrange for housing for all students. Those who live in UD houses or Garden Apartments can generally get extended stay for that period and we will help the others have a place to stay. Students will receive instructions on this through their orientation.

It is important that our groups fly in together. There are occasional exceptions to this, which will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Campus Ministry will provide rides from campus to the airport and pick the group up upon their return.

Who is in charge?

All of our International BreakOut groups are led by at least one staff or faculty member, and oftentimes two. We incorporate student leadership as well. The staff or faculty person is trained in emergency protocol and is there to work through emotional, spiritual, and physical struggles with the students. They will also provide valuable reflection and processing of the experience with the group.

Our trips are also hosted by in-country organizations, who serve as transportation, guides, local experts and general hospitality. Over the years, we have built long-standing, trusted relationships with these organizations and individuals.

We do view all students over the age of 18 as adults. Therefore, they are responsible for signing release forms and waivers for these trips. We strongly encourage students to share all information they are learning with their families.

What if I cannot afford the whole cost of the trip?

It is our goal that these experiences are open to all students, regardless of financial circumstances. We will work with you in a variety of ways to make this trip a possibility. We greatly encourage students to fundraise through our annual fair trade sale and through letter writing. Also, there are few grants available for these experiences. Finally, we can set up a payment plan or a reduced price to make it work.

What happens if there is an emergency?

We partner closely with the University of Dayton's Center for International Programs on our emergency protocol. We have an international emergency team, which assembles to determine the best course of action in the case of either an individual or group emergency.

Our group leaders are trained in our protocol and we receive great assistance from our local hosts.

Emergencies don't happen often, but we are prepared. We are members of International SOS, and all traveling with our group will received their services.

Our leaders and campus offices have students' emergency contact information and will notify those contacts if deemed necessary.

What is International SOS?

International SOS is a worldwide emergency medical and travel assistance company. The University of Dayton holds a membership and groups and individuals traveling with us are covered under their services. They are not an insurance company, but provide a variety of medical and travel advice, both prior to and during travel; they are a phone call away during emergencies, whether we need advice on where to seek medical attention, or we need to evacuate a group due to an environmental disaster.

Please visit their website at www.internationalsos.com for more information. The University of Dayton's member ID is 11BYSG000008.

Who should my parents or I contact if we have a question?

You or your parents may contact Mary Niebler, Coordinator of Cross-cultural Immersions in Campus Ministry's Center for Social Concerns with any questions.