International Service-Immersion Experiences

2016 Service-Immersion Experiences

The purpose of Canisius College’s Service-Immersion experiences, offered through the Office of Campus Ministry, is to increase student awareness of the world. These trips encourage students to grow in solidarity with the people of the world, especially the poor. Students will challenge themselves to live simply, to value relationships, to engage their faith and spirituality and to dig for the truth behind injustices of society.



Youth in Jamaica
During this two-week service trip, students will delve into the poorest sections of Jamaica to meet and learn from the people there. In partnership with Franciscan Ministries, students will work with children – both in Kingston and in rural Jamaica. 

War, Peace, and the Pursuit of Justice in El Salvador
Students participating in this service-immersion experience will witness the reality of people's lives in El Salvador (50% of the population lives in poverty and continues to experience violence through escalating human rights) and explore the complexities of social justice, international politics and Catholic students.

Summer Camps for At-Risk Children in Poland
Canisius students will partner together with Polish university students to form small "families" in which they will live alongside a group of at-risk children.  Students will be responsible for morning English lessons, organizing large scale games at the camp (think World Cup!) and doing a dance performance on stage every night. 

Magis / World Youth Day (WYD) in Poland
In conjunction with WYD, the Jesuits will be running a service-immersion program called Magis, where 2,000-3,000 students from Jesuit schools across the world will come to Poland in advance of WYD.  Students will be split up into “global teams” and sent out for a week of service or pilgrimage walks throughout Eastern Europe.  After their immersion experience, teams will reunite with their school teams in Łódź for reflection and mass with the Superior General of the Jesuits! 

Untouchability in India
In India, students will visit orphanages, human rights centers, village leaders, writers, lawyers, priests and other key figures who will educate them about the reality of the Dalit struggle for justice. Students will also spend time teaching English lessons at the boarding school.