Back

Justice Immersion Program


Immersion is a powerful learning tool that surrounds a person with the culture and experience of another. It develops human relationships and creates understandings of solidarity and compassion between individuals and communities. Immersion moves people to confront essential questions of peace and justice, freedom, and the human condition.

Why Immersion at NDSJ?

St. Julie Billiart and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur model a commitment to education for life. Notre Dame women have “hearts as wide as the world”.

  • God is good
  • Honoring the dignity of each person
  • Justice and peace, community service
  • Value diversity and community
  • Holistic learning—body, mind and spirit

NDSJ Justice Immersion Outcomes

  • Education - Learn about the various contexts of a community (social, political, cultural, etc).
  • Community - Develop relationships with students, adults and members of the community.
  • Reflection - Reflect and discern personal discoveries about self, other and God.
  • Action - Challenge self to live simply, stretch beyond comfort zones and value each person.
  • Witness - Witness and advocate for justice and social change

Immersion Trips 2013-2014


Trip Name
Location
Grade Levels  Trip Fees
Date 
 Local        
Neighborhood Plunge
Downtown San Jose, California  Freshmen Only $25  Multiple
Urban Plunge Tenderloin District, San Francisco, California  Sophomores
 Juniors
 Seniors
$200  April 2014
Ignatian Arrupe Leadership Summit Los Gatos, California  All Grades $300  January 2014
Central Coast Plunge  San Juan Bautista and Monterey, California  All Grades $700  June 2014
         
 National        
Recovery on the Bayou New Orleans, Louisiana  Juniors
 Seniors
$1,200  April 2014
Ignatian Family Teach In Washington, D.C.  Sophomores
 Juniors
 Seniors
$1,200  November 2014
 
 
 
 International        
Environmental Stewards Puebla, Mexico  Sophomores
 Juniors
 Seniors
$2,100  June 2014
Sisterhood in El Salvador Yancolo and San Salvador, El Salvador  Juniors Only $2,300  June 2014

Application and Registration Processes

The NEW ONLINE APPLICATION is now available.  Please fill out and submit the online application form below. If you wish to seek financial assistance for a trip, please submit the Financial Aid Request as well. Students are encouraged to apply for more than one immersion at a time, as it increases placement opportunity.
Priority deadline for application is Friday, September 20, 2013**
Please note**: Priority deadline for students wishing to participate in the Ignatian Family Teach In (Washington DC in November 2013) is September 3, 2013.

What happens after the application is submitted?

After the priority deadline, Campus Ministry reviews all applications to determine trip placement. Priority will be given to first time participants, especially seniors. A lottery system will be used to determine trip placements when the interest is beyond trip capacity.


All applicants who submitted by the priority deadline will be notified about their placement in a trip by Friday, September 27th. Eligible students not placed on a trip will be on the waiting list. Campus Ministry will continue to accept applications as space allows.

Registration:
To confirm your placement on the justice immersion, please follow these steps:
1. Read the justice immersion policy and procedure information provided with your acceptance.
2. Fill out and submit the online registration form.
3. After submitting, print the confirmation page.
4. Sign the printed confirmation with both student and parent signatures and turn it in to Campus Ministry.
5. Submit deposit via the online payment link on Notre Dame justice immersion webpage.
Registration is complete only when all five steps are finished.


If unable to accept placement for whatever reason, please contact Campus Ministry ASAP. Once registration and deposit are received, a family is then financially responsible for the placement.

Financial Information:

Costs are designed to cover the full experience— transportation, housing, all meals, trip leaders and additional program costs. The costs are reflective of “simple living” and cover basic living needs. Financial Aid Awards are available to cover partial need, depending on trip and need. Financial Aid Request forms are available in Campus Ministry. Submit the online Financial Aid Request to the Campus Ministry by Friday, September 20, 2013.

For any questions or concerns regarding justice immersion application, please contact Katie Kuszmar, Campus Minister for Social Justice and Immersions, at kkuszmar@ndsj.org or (408) 294-1113 x2193.  Or contact Ms. Cathy Kuebler at ckuebler@ndsj.org.

Alternative Immersion Trips

  • Santa Clara Valley Amigos: A community program that offers immersion experiences that are not connected to the Notre Dame Immersion Program.

Student Commitment Expectations:

Students are expected to have an open heart, minds and hands to the FULL process and experience, including simple living and prayer. Each student must be in good standing and up to date with all academic, service and discipline obligations. Each student should attend all pre-trip meetings and preparation gatherings and should complete paperwork by set deadlines. All immersion students should also participate in the Solidarity Dinner as well as post-trip advocacy and witness activities.

Parent Expectations:

Parents should be willing to support daughter with prayer and encouragement and willing to make the financial commitment and/or request supplemental Financial Aid. Parents should also complete paperwork by set deadlines and support the Solidarity Dinner.


Justice Immersion Contact
© Notre Dame High School • 596 S. Second Street, San Jose, CA 95112 • phone: (408) 294.1113 • fax: (408) 293.9779Site Map