Arrupe International Immersion

Applications for the 2021-2022 academic year are open now on a rolling basis. Interested adult mentors please contact arrupe.program@bc.edu.

No. We’re looking for a mix of students who share different experiences and backgrounds.

We do hope, though, that all selected students share a similar willingness to commit to the same foundational values. Arrupe participants should accept responsibility for helping create the immersion program experience; conduct self maturely, with integrity and respect at all times; be willing to work through conflicts with others; be committed to enhancing the relationship with the countries we visit, and be committed to processing and sharing the experience with the BC community after returning from the trip.

Applicants also need to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, both literally (i.e. you may be sleeping in beds less comfortable than what you’re accustomed to) and figuratively (i.e. talking about issues of power and privilege could be outside your typical “comfort zone”).

Arrupe is open to people of all backgrounds. One does not have to be Catholic or Christian to participate. In fact, diversity in faith perspectives and then authentically and respectfully sharing that with others can significantly enhance each participant’s learning and formation.

That said, applicants need to know that these experiences are faith-based and that the framework used is influenced by BC’s Jesuit Catholic tradition, and that Catholic liturgies are a part of the experience. Regardless of one’s faith, participants are expected to explore and share their own faith and life journey, in all of its joys and struggles and questions, and within a small community context. Prayer, reflection, and conversation are integral to the experience within Arrupe, and everyone is expected to participate and contribute, and to do so with honesty, vulnerability, appropriateness, and respect.

Ideally, each participant will have learned how to become “the best version” of him/herself by delving deeper into his/her own faith and tradition.

While an understanding of Spanish is certainly useful on any of the trips where Spanish is spoken, it is not necessary. For trips to Spanish-speaking countries, an interpreter is provided by our In-Country Partner Organization, and this person accompanies the delegation throughout the trip, facilitating communication between the English- and Spanish-speaking parties.

Trips will take place from January 7-14, 2022- give or take a day or two. Each group has between 14-16 people including 10-12 participants, 2 Student Leaders, and 2 Mentors.

We do everything in our power to ensure that the trips are as safe and healthy as possible. We endeavor to work with organizations in each country—our “In-Country Partner Organizations”—that are well-established, well-respected, and that have well-connected networks in-country. That said, we are traveling outside of the United States and there is always a risk involved with such travel. All potential applicants and their families need to be aware of this risk. Before applying for the overall program, we ask that applicants seriously consider receiving the immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and by their family health care provider. Applicants should also review the U.S. Department of State’s website regarding its assessment of a particular country/region’s health and safety situation. 2021-2022 tentative locations include communities in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. 

Participating in Arrupe is a year-long commitment and requires participants to be physically present on campus throughout the 2021-2022 academic year. As a participant, you can expect to dedicate an average of 5 hours per-week. As a student leader, you can expect to dedicate an average of 6-8 hours per week. The point drive week will require additional hours.

The cost of Arrupe is covered primarily through an initial fee and the collective fundraising effort of all Arrupe undergraduate students (both participants and student leaders).

Participants and student leaders each pay a program fee; the 2021-2022 program fee is $700. Participants are also responsible for raising $1,000 through a letter writing campaign. Additionally, Arrupe undergrads participate in a “Point Drive” in BC dining halls and several other Small Community-driven initiatives. While some undergrads may be able to generate more funds than others, each person is expected to contribute equally to the collective fundraising process in terms of time commitment, creativity, resourcefulness, and hard work. Montserrat students are eligible for a 50% scholarship of the program fee and a small number of scholarships are available within the application to students with particular gifts, skill-sets, and life experiences that will enrich formation for all participants. Please contact arrupe.program@bc.edu with any questions or concerns about the financial commitments of Arrupe. 

If you are concerned about the cost of participating in the Arrupe program, please contact the Arrupe Campus Minister to discuss your situation. No one will be turned away from participation in Arrupe solely because the overall cost seems prohibitive.