Tijuana Winter

Arrupe International Program
TIJUANA, MEXICO – WINTER 2008-09

Trip Destination:  Tijuana, Mexico, on the border between the U.S. and Mexico.

Trip Dates:  Approximately 10 days at the end of winter break 2008-09.  (Exact trip dates will be determined later.)

Coordinating Organizations:  Boston College Campus Ministry, in collaboration with the Casa del Migrante in Tijuana, Mexico.

 

Language Proficiency Required: Although being able to speak Spanish is useful while on the trip, applicants do not need to be able to speak any language other than English to participate in this program.
town in tijuana

Itinerary:

Participants will travel to Tijuana, Mexico, a rapidly growing border city not far from San Diego, California.  Living in community at La Casa del Migrante, a shelter for migrants run by the Scalabrini Fathers, participants will serve within the shelter, take part in various construction projects, and conduct social work at several locations, including soup kitchens and outreach centers for the elderly and the young, run by the Missionaries of Charity and at the city’s public dump.  

This trip will include both service and immersion experiences in the sense that participants will have the opportunity to work in and with local communities.  There will be two extensive and parallel border tours, one in Mexico and one in the U.S. Participants will also hear from several speakers as they try to unpack the complicated political, social, and economic relationships which exist between Mexico and the U.S.

Prayer, community-based reflection, journaling and sharing with each other are core aspects of this experience before, during, and after the trip.

 

Safety:  Boston College considers the U.S. Department of State’s published recommendations regarding public safety in a potential host country.  For travel-related recommendations published by the U.S. Department of State, please check the U.S. Department of State’s website: http://www.state.gov/travel/.

 

Immunizations Required:  Boston College requests that participants seriously consider protecting themselves with the immunizations and other preventative measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  Information will be provided to all those selected, however if you would like to know more, please check the CDC’s website: www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm.