International Summer Immersions 2023

Participating in a Cross-Cultural Summer Immersion through the Center for Social Concern is a unique way to expand your education beyond the classroom, into a new culture, a new lifestyle, and a new way of thinking. Each trip 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.

Stay tuned for information sessions on Summer Immersions or catch us at the Education Abroad Fair in the Fall!

Due to continued uncertainties, these trips may be cancelled or in a different form.

Trips for Summer 2023

Bangalore, Ranchi and Kolkata, India

Photo by Isabel Gerardino

Date: Mid-May - July 1, 2023

The India Immersion truly offers an in-depth look at the people and culture of India. Hosted by the Marianists, the students and a reflection leader will stay in Ranchi in the north of India. There, they will see and interact with the Marianist’s REDS program (Ragpickers Education and Development Scheme), the Marianist Sisters and their health clinic, the Chaminade Rural Development Program, schools, novitiates, and cultural sites. Then the group will spend time with the Marianists in the south, in Bangalore. They will work with the REDS program there, as well as play schools, job training centers and more religious and cultural site. The group will also spend time in the city of Kolkata, with options to work with the Missionary of Charity (Mother Teresa’s order) or other non-profits.   The trip will include a visit to New Delhi, Gandhi sites and the Taj Mahal as well. If you are looking for a truly immersive experience into India as well as learning more about the Marianists and Marianist spirituality and the global Marianist family, this is the trip for you!

Estimated cost is $2200 for the program and $2000 for the flights.

Applications open August 15, 2022. See General Information below for instructions on how to apply.

Preferred application completion by November 15, 2022. Final deadline: February 1, 2023.  

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Photo by Audrey Yost

Date: depart May 19, 2023

Students and a reflection leader spend time learning the Spanish language while immersing themselves in the culture of Guatemala in Quetzaltenango, commonly known as Xela. Students on this immersion stay with host families while learning Spanish at a local language school. The language study on this trip is intensive, involving one-on-one study, for approximately five hours a day. Weekend excursions include trips to natural spas, volcanoes, and the beach. This experience offers a great combination of immersion and education, while reflecting on the differences between culture, religion, and politics of Guatemala and the United States. Credit hours in Spanish can be earned through the Department of Languages.

A four week stay can earn approximately 6 credit hours in Spanish.  Eight weeks can earn up to nine credit hours.

Estimated program cost (including room, board and some other expenses) for 6 weeks is $2400. Each additional week is around $260. Airfare is anywhere between $600-$1000

Applications open August 15, 2022. See General Information below for instructions on how to apply.

In 2019, UD's International Assessment Team (IAT) reviewed this program due to the Level 3 Travel Advisory by the U.S. Department of State. The IAT approved this program to be offered because of the specific location of our program within Guatemala, our extensive in-country network, our longstanding experience with student programming there, and our secured transportation methods. We anticipate undergoing a similar review process in 2023.

Nairobi, Kenya

Dates: TBD. This trip is currently tentative for 2023

The Center for Social Concern is excited to be exploring a new immersion experience to Nairobi, Kenya, with hopes of the inaugural trip occurring in the summer of 2023.  Participants on this immersion will be graciously hosted by the Marianists in Nairobi, who will introduce students to many social services and educational opportunities for Kenyans throughout the area.  Visits to Mombassa and a National Park are in the plans as well. 

Estimated cost is $2100 for program (including room, board and some other expenses) and about $2500.

See General Information below for instructions on how to apply. 

General Information

APPLICATION:
Summer 2023 preferred application completion is by November 15, 2022. Final deadline: February 1, 2023.   They will be available by August 15, 2022 on the Center for International Programs' Studio Abroad page. Click on “search programs” to find the application and apply online. Those who apply by November 15^th will be interviewed and confirmed by Christmas Break.

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

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 2023. 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 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 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 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.