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How many Arrupe programs are there?
For the 2008-09 academic school year, there will be 10 Arrupe programs: four with trips during winter break, four with trips during spring break, and two with trips during the summer. For 2008-09 winter break trips, teams are selected by the end of April 2009; for 2009 spring break trips, teams will be selected by the end of October 2008; and for 2009 summer trips, teams will be selected by December 2008 or January 2009. Winter programs travel to Nogales Mexico, Tijuana Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. Spring programs travel to Ecuador, El Salvador, Jamaica, and Nicaragua. Summer programs travel to Cuernavaca Mexico, and Jamaica. (Please see each program’s Program Description)
What is an education-immersion trip, and what is a service-immersion trip?
Arrupe programs offer students the opportunity to spend about one to two weeks immersed in the lives and cultures of our brothers and sisters in different parts of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Many of the people we visit live lives of economic, social, political and religious marginalization. We spend time accompanying them through faith-based, education-immersion trips (conferences/meetings with politicians, political parties and NGO representatives, families/community members; home stays, etc.) and faith-based service-immersion trips (camps, work projects, site visits, elderly and prison ministry). We do this to learn about the realities of people’s lives, to bear witness to their struggles and their faith, and to contribute to their lives either by our attentive hearts or our working hands.
How many people get to go?
While each trip is unique in its own way, there are 13 to 17 people on each trip, including 9 to 12 participants, 2 student leaders, and 2 or 3 staff leaders.
How much does it cost?
Historically the cost of each program has been paid for entirely through participants’ fundraising. We ask each participant to submit a $100 or $150 initial fee as their own contribution, and we also ask each participant to commit to fundraising $1,200. These funds cover all the expenses of the trip including lodging, food, airfare and other modes of transportation, extra medical insurance, and language translation (as needed), as well as pre- and post-trip retreats and administrative expenses. If you are concerned about the cost of this program, please contact an Arrupe Coordinator to discuss your situation.
How do I sign up?
In March 2008, after spring break, there will be information sessions for the four 2008-09 winter programs (Nogales Mexico, Tijuana Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala). Students who are interested need to attend one of the information sessions and then apply for a program via an on-line application that is connected to the Campus Ministry web-site. Information sessions for these programs will be on March 11th, 12th and 13st, 2008 (please see the Campus Ministry Website for exact times and locations) and applications will be due on March 25th, 2008. Information regarding the spring 2009 programs and summer 2009 application processes will be forthcoming.
What is the “application process”?
Applications for Arrupe international programs will be available on the Campus Ministry Web-Site by Friday, March 14th, 2008. Applicants are asked to complete an application by inputting their contact information, by indicating which program(s) they prefer and are open to, and by answering essay questions. Depending on the number of applications received, applicants may or may not be asked to interview for a particular program. (We encourage anyone interested in applying to seriously discern whether you 1) really want to participate in an Arrupe program, and if so, to which specific program.)
What if I am not selected?
These programs tend to be popular and historically we have not always been able to accommodate the number of applicants. If you are not selected for a particular program, please apply again, if possible. Whether or not you are selected for a trip does not reflect on your value or worth as a person! We encourage everyone to continue to apply and we commit to doing our best to accommodate. (Please see Selection Criteria.)
Do I need to speak another language?
While an understanding of Spanish is useful on several of the trips, it is not necessary. Trips to Spanish-speaking countries have translators, and for a few of the countries we visit English is spoken as the primary language.
How long are the trips?
The winter trips are about 10 days long; the spring trips are about 9 days long; and the summer trips are about 2 weeks long.
Are the trips safe?
We do everything in our power to make sure that the programs are safe and secure for everyone involved. We work closely with our in-country contacts and hosts, and we endeavor to work with people and organizations in each country that are well established and well respected. That said, we are traveling outside of the United States and there is always a health and safety risk involved with such travel. All potential applicants need to be aware of this risk. (We do recommend that participants consider receiving the immunizations recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Boston College health services.)
Do I need to be Catholic?
These programs are open to people of all faiths, traditions, and beliefs. That said, these programs are faith-based, so we do ask that anyone interested in applying be eager to share and explore her/his own faith journey within a small community context. Prayer and reflection are integral to the experience, and everyone will be expected to participate and contribute with honesty, openness, and respect.
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