The Jamaica trip is both "Education" and "Service" Immersion based. Trip Destination: Kingston, the capitol of the island of Jamaica, in the Caribbean. Trip Dates:  Approximately 8 or 9 days toward the end of winter break 2012-13.

Coordinating Organizations:  Boston College Campus Ministry, in collaboration with New England Province Jesuits living and working in Jamaica, and specifically with Boston College Campus Ministry’s Fr. Michael Davidson, S.J., a Jamaican Jesuit who will serve as the primary coordinator of this trip.

Jamaica Trip Itinerary:  The B.C. Jamaica delegation travels to Kingston where program participants collaborate with Jamaican Jesuit priest Michael Davidson, who is on staff at Boston College’s Campus Ministry, and Fr. Michael’s fellow New England Province Jesuits who live and work in Jamaica, in creating their trip experience. Throughout the week, delegation participants stay at St. George’s Jesuit College in Kingston and visit, work with, and learn from people from the local community.

Additionally, participants have the opportunity to learn about the larger context within which Jamaica as a country is situated. They meet with various community leaders, including local Jesuits, and representatives from the Catholic Church, government, non-governmental organizations, and many others, and listen to presentations and engage in discussions on social, economic, political, and religious issues that have affected and continue to affect the people of Jamaica. Participants also have the opportunity to witness first-hand the joys and struggles of people through staying for a few days with families in the community surrounding St. George’s College, sharing in and learning about their everyday lives.

Exploring Faith:  Prayer, reflection, journaling, and conversation are core aspects of this experience before, during, and after the trip.  While Arrupe programs are open to people of any faith tradition, they are influenced by the Jesuit Catholic tradition, and Catholic liturgies are a part of the experience. Each participant is expected to participate in this aspect of the experience, share about her/his faith, in all of its joys and struggles and questions, and to explore and discern how faith and the gifts they have been given, connect to living in solidarity with all people, especially those who experience marginalization.

Living Simply:  During a trip, participants are expected to embrace “living simply.” Part of what this means is eating food that may not be familiar or plentiful, sleeping in beds or other places that are less comfortable than what might be accustomed to, getting dirty, bathing rarely, experiencing limited personal space, and possibly getting sick. Participants also may find themselves in situations that could instigate allergies, or not be able to accommodate dietary preferences, etc. Another aspect of the notion of “living simply” involves exploring our society’s and each of our own consumerist tendencies, and what this means regarding living a life with and for others.

Time Commitment:  Participation in an Arrupe program involves a year-long commitment including preparation for and follow up after the immersion trip. This commitment involves participating in weekly Small Community meetings, a pre-trip and post-trip retreat, several presentations, a few Catholic liturgies, a number of fundraising events and activities, and pre-trip and post-trip social justice awareness-building and community service projects. Expect this commitment to be about 5 hours a week, with retreats and the point drive week requiring additional hours. (Please note the “important dates” associated with the program.)

Language Proficiency: Participants do not need to be able to speak any language other than English to participate.

Safety and Health: Before applying for an Arrupe program, each potential participant and his/her family need to be aware that there are many health and safety risks associated with traveling to the destinations visited through this program. Please check the U.S. Department of State’s assessment of traveling to these destinations http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html, the Center for Disease Control’s assessment of traveling to these destinations http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx, and consider your own physical and emotional/psychological/mental health before applying. Should you end up participating in an Arrupe program, you will need to continue to check these websites for updates, as these assessments may change before an Arrupe trip departs.