Winter Immersion Program

Saint Joseph's University and the Winter Immersion Program are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely. As of 8/19/2022 we are planning on travel. However, because of these uncertain times we also have a backup plan that will still provide students with an impactful experience of encounter! More details on our COVID-19 info page.

You will build community at weekly community gathers, bond with a small group - familia - for both semesters, learn about the communities you will encounter, immerse on site during Winter Break, reflect on your experiences, and the further work of justice to which you're are called!

WIP's primary focus is to walk with you as you discern how to live in solidarity with the materially poor and marginalized, especially upon return to campus. WIP is rooted in Ignatian values, human dignity, Catholic Social Teaching, liberation theology, and the building of relationships as we share our humanity. Our hope is to transform minds, hearts, and hands to live out a faith that does justice.

Faith

WIP invites you to dive into your own faith and reflect on how to live out a faith that does justice. WIPs only requirement is that you be open. WIP is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and Ignatian values. Students of ALL faith traditions, as well as those who do not identify with a particular faith tradition, are welcome and encouraged to deepen and explore their spiritual life through this experience. Come as you are!

Encounter

Break open the depth of this word with us! Encounter means more than meeting someone, it means engaging with someone soul to soul. Come see how injustice actually effects people, and then let's do something about it!

Justice

WIP will offer you a difficult and often uncomfortable look at injustices in our nation and world. You will be challenged to really look at and critically think about, the injustices that exist around the world, examine root causes of injustice, and take actions toward a just lifestyle upon return.

Education

WIP is a place of learning.; especially on the topics of faith, justice, Ignatian values, Spanish basics, and about the unique communities you will immerse with as well as our community partners!

Community

WIP provides as space for you to build authentic community. We believe that faith, justice, and a full life can only be lived in the context of belonging to one another. “We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.” - Dorothy Day

Solidarity

WIP is not just a week long immersion, it is an opportunity to discern to rise to who we are called to be. We believe that means living in solidarity with those we met on immersion and those in our own city and campus community. “Solidarity requires that all members of society renounce something and adopt a...lifestyle to help all those who are in need." Pope Francis

WIP's community gatherings are on MONDAY's from 8:00pm - 9:30pm, in both Fall & Spring semesters.

Weekly community gatherings (day and time) will NOT change! If you would like to be part of WIP, please keep Mondays from 8:00pm - 9:30pm free.

1. The Winter Immersion program invites you into a full experience of justice and faith/spirituality, meaning it's more than a week-long immersion. Rather, it is a 2 semester program that invites you into the mission and into a loving and inclusive community. We work hard to create engaging and thought-provoking prep and integration content that will assist you in understanding language and education around the injustice of ALL WIP immersion sites. We also aim to guide you in deepening your faith or spirituality through reflection, prayer, and group activities.
2. You will be on site at your immersion location for approximately 7 days
3. All faith backgrounds are welcome to participate and deepen their personal faith and spirituality. For you to make the best decision for you, please know WIP is a faith-based program rooted in Gospel values, Jesuit ideals, Catholic Social Teaching principles, liberation theology, and the integration of faith and justice. Prayer, discussion, and reflection experiences are central to the program.  
4. WIP upholds imago dei, which states every person is made in the image of God. WIP also upholds the human dignity of every single participant. The Winter Immersion Program is supportive and active on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
5. Please read the WIP 2023 community commitment when it is made available.

Program Dates

• Monday August 22nd - Applications go live
• Info Sessions
  • Mon. Aug 29 - 8pm - Forum Theatre
  • Tues. Aug 30 -9:30pm - Forum Theatre
  • Wed. Aug 31 - 7pm - 201 Wilson UCity
  • Thurs. Sept 1 - 11:15am & 8pm - Forum Theatre 
• Wednesday September 7th - Applications Due
  • *when you apply, you will be contacted for an interview by one of our Peer Ministers 
• Wednesday September 14th - Offers Extended 
• Weekly Community Gatherings (Prep)
  • Monday September 19th
  • Monday September 26th
  • Monday October 3rd
  • Monday October 24th
  • Monday October 31st
  • Monday November 7th
  • Monday November 14th
  • Monday November 28th
  • Monday December 5th
• Retreat - November 4th 5:00pm - November 5th 5pm 
• Immersions
  • 1 week immersion, possibilities include January 7 - 14 2023
• Weekly Community Gatherings (Integration)
  • Monday January 16th
  • Monday January 23rd
  • Monday January 30th
  • Monday February 6th
  • Monday February 13th
  • Monday February 20th
  • Monday February 27th
  • Monday March 6th
  • Monday March 20th - Story Sharing Event: Encuentro: bridging borders through a faith that does justice 

The University is constantly monitoring COVID-19. At of 8/19/2022 we are planning on travel. Please note, backup plans for an amazing immersive local/virtual experience are being coordinated incase we are not permitted to travel. Either way, we have the confidence that we will be able to fulfill our mission of

• Building community,
• Providing students with an experience of encounter,
• Exploring faith and spirituality, and
• Learning about justice.
• Come journey with us!

If we do travel, all protocols and policies instituted by SJU will be upheld on the immersion.

Fundraising... let's make it happen!

This program is about justice, and that means we make it possible for everyone!

Do not let financial concerns stop you from doing this program! We will work with you and make a plan! Please contact Tinamarie Stolz (tstolz@sju.edu) to talk about: 

1. Scholarships
2. Saving plans
3. Payment plans

During the application process, you can request a domestic immersion for financial reasons. Upon entrance into the program, you are guaranteed a spot at a domestic site! 

WIP has 2 Separate Financial Commitments

1. Program Fee

• Non-refundable
• Due September 20th, 2021 (if this is not feasible for you, please contact tstolz@sju.edu, we are happy to work with you!) 
• Online Payment
• $250

2. Travel Fee

• Approximately equal to the cost of plane ticket
• Lodging
• On site meals
• On site programming
• DUE November 28, 2022 (if this is a concern, come chat!) 
• Tools and suggestions are provided for those who wish to fundraise
• Domestic $800
• International $950

What does this include?

• Program on site
• Plane ticket
• Retreat
• Transportation to the airport, on site, and back from the airport
• All meals on site

Not included - passport, vaccines, food at airport

Fundraising Ideas

Please note that fundraising is optional but highly encouraged.  Fundraising is not coordinated through the WIP program or the university; rather, it is up to each individual to raise the money needed for their trip.  However, we will assist with ideas, encouragement, and some instructions to help you out!  Here are a few possibilities to get started...

• Utilizing Christmas, holiday, or birthday gifts
• Instagram or Facebook challenges
• March Madness bracket pool
  • Setting up a March Madness pool on ESPN or CBS Sports can be a great way to raise financial support for your immersion. If you ask for a $10 donation to join your bracket pool, and you have 30 friends join, you will raise $300. You can offer a gift card to the winner to encourage your friends to join.
• A "Pick a Number" is a large board with the numbers 1 through 40 on it. This board could be set up at school, church, or work. Friends and family are asked to pick a number that represents the amount that they are willing to give. Once they pick an amount, that number is taken off the board (or X'ed out).  And check this out - If all 40 numbers are taken, you'll raise $820 -- enough to cover the second payment for an international trip!  Or, if you don't think people will give the larger amounts, you could put the numbers 1 through 22 on the board twice (44 numbers total) -- if all of them are taken, you would raise $506 -- enough for the final payment of a domestic trip!

What if the immersion is cancelled due to a health or safety issue?

If, due to circumstances relating to health and safety (e.g. COVID-19 concerns), travel is canceled after tickets have been purchased in your name, you will be refunded (1) a voucher for future air travel equivalent to the cost of your ticket, and (2) the remaining difference of your travel fee. 

Your $250 program fee is non-refundable and will be used to provide a great on-campus immersion experience.