by Cheyenne Schoen |
This May, 12 to 14 students will be involved in a service learning immersion trip that has never been done before at UP. The three week long excursion to India is the first of its kind in the Moreau Center, which is partnering with Carpe Diem Education to make the trip possible. The majority of the immersion will be spent serving alongside Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta.
Moreau Center Director David Houglum has spent over a year organizing the new trip.
“India is one of the countries that is really coming into its own on the global stage, especially with social justice issues,” Houglum said. “And I thought it would be a wonderful and challenging place that could serve as a catalyst for student growth and ultimately for formation and transformation.”
Those on the trip can expect to do challenging work. Tasks range from serving orphans to working in educational capacities with children, to cooking and cleaning homes.
“We are really going to be confronted with some significant levels of poverty, and we are there to show our love and compassion, and to share our gifts with them,” Houglum said.
Students who are accepted make a commitment to the program from October through May. They will attend four preparation seminars to learn about service and justice, diversity and community, advocacy and Roman Catholic social teaching. Those specifically on the India trip will attend team building activities, plan fundraisers, listen to speakers, read short articles and watch videos that will prepare them for the context and culture of India.
Senior business major Jean Seide is the student coordinator for the program. Seide has participated in many service trips through the Moreau Center and wants students to know the main reasons to go on these immersion trips.
“One: UP is so safe, we are in a bubble. Doing these trips helps you know what’s going on in the world, to reach out to other social classes,” Seide said. “And two: Many of us will be in leadership positions in the world. This helps you make informed decisions, ones that are not made out of ignorance.”
Both Seide and Houglum want applicants to know that they will be pushed out of their comfort zones. The weather will be hot, and the work won’t be glamorous.
“It’s a service trip. You will go to the Taj Mahal, and we will do these touristy things, but we are going to spend most of the time working and reflecting about ourselves. Students have to be resilient, open-minded and eager to learn about social justice,” Seide said.
The cost of the immersion after fundraising is $2,500, which includes airfare, accommodations, food and travel within India. Students are responsible for passport, visa and immunizations. Opportunities for financial aid are available for those in need. If you have questions about the trip, contact Dave Houglum at houglum@up.edu. Applications for the India trip are due Oct. 9.
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Moreau Center page: http://up.edu/moreaucenter Cheyenne is a reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at schoen17@up.edu or on Twitter @cheyschoen.
