Cross-Cultural Summer Immersions through the Center for Social Concern offer a unique way to expand your education beyond the classroom. Hosted by Marianist communities in Kenya or India, a summer immersion offers a distinctive experience for students, involving elements of cultural immersion, study of government, social services, religion, family life, economics and everyday life in the host country. Participants travel in a group with a reflection leader to help guide the group through the joys and struggles of encountering life outside your normal experience and to come to a better understanding of Global Solidarity as God’s children.

General Information

APPLICATION

The Summer 2024 application deadline is by December 1, 2023. Those who apply will be interviewed and accepted to the program in December/early January.

Payment

A preliminary deposit of $100 will be due once you are accepted.  An additional deposit of $500 is due by February 15.

Partial scholarships may be available for those who need them. Some grants are available on campus for such experiences. You can find some information on grants here. 

Other expenses include a valid passport (with at least 6 months validation remaining on it), visa, supplies, vaccinations, and possible other preparatory items, if needed.

COURSE

Summer Immersion participants are required to attend the Cross-Cultural Immersion preparation class (1 mini-course credit) on Wednesdays from 7-9 pm starting in February 2024. This credit hour is free, even if you carry a full load. Participants are also expected to turn in a final reflection paper and attend a re-entry class in the Fall Semester following their Immersion experience.

Also, as part of your immersion experience, you will be registered in an Experiential Learning Course (EXP). This is a non-credit bearing course which is the immersion experience itself. It will show up on your official transcript showing 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 charged 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.

CONTACT

If you have any questions contact Mary Niebler.

If you have something else in mind which is not offered and would like to work through Campus Ministry, please talk to Mary as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we travel?

Since these trips occur in the summer, students will travel from wherever they choose in the beginning and meet the group in an outgoing international airport. To ensure groups fly into their location together, it is best for the Coordinator of Cross-cultural Immersions to arrange the flights. There are exceptions to this and we can be flexible with summer schedules and other travel.

Once in-country, groups mainly use private transportation to get around, which ensures groups stay together and provides an additional element of safety. There are occasions where groups or individuals will use public transportation in-country, which will be discussed with the travelers.

Who is in charge?

All of our Cross-Cultural Summer Immersion 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 can’t 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 letter writing and other actions. 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 Global and Intercultural Affairs Center 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 contact 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 Concern, with any questions.