Serving Communities, Enriching Minds
For more than 20 years, Fairfield University has provided students with opportunities to participate in both international and domestic immersion service trips that aim to help students understand and engage with environments different from their own.
Inspired by the desire to express solidarity—a core principle of Catholic teaching and a Christian virtue focused on social justice, the pursuit of equality, and the value of human dignity—these immersion experiences allow students to connect with international communities in need. The insights gained from these trips enrich their academic exploration and inform the theories they study in the classroom.
St. Oscar Romero International Immersion Program
The Office of Campus Ministry has had a long tradition of offering students the opportunity to spend time in other countries to learn about the realities, hopes, and struggles of those living in situations of economic, political, or social marginalization.
Named for Archbishop Oscar Romero, a patron saint of the Americas martyred for his unwavering pursuit of justice for the poor and marginalized, the International Immersion program aims to deepen students’ relationships with God, themselves, and others through:
- Sharing in the lives of those living in poverty through short-term service projects and living experiences
- Reflecting critically on issues of faith and justice
- Being exposed to the wonderful diversity of God's creations through an encounter with those living in a culture different from their own
- Offering their skills, resources, and gifts for the purpose of creating a more just and loving world
The application process for participants begins several months prior to each trip's departure date, and the commitment continues for several months after each trip's return. This allows for weekly meetings, retreats, and fundraising events, to make connections through local service work and many awareness-building events.
Belize City & Punta Gorda Immersion / Belize
While in-country, Fairfield students will assist with parish and school-based programs and partner with Jesuit ministries in two distinct regions of Belize: Belize City, a vibrant urban center, and Punta Gorda, a rural town in the Toledo district. Students will engage with St. John’s College (a Jesuit high school and university), St. Martin de Porres Parish and School, and St. Peter Claver Parish. Through this immersive experience, students will explore justice issues related to poverty, social inequality, and cultural identity, while taking part in hands-on service that supports children, families, and underserved populations.
Read the Belize Immersion Trip recap story
Spring Break Immersion Trips
Fairfield University’s Office of Campus Ministry strives to be a home for students of all faith traditions who are interested in exploring and enriching their spiritual lives and commitment to justice. Rooted in the Catholic faith and steeped in the Ignatian tradition, Campus Ministry is committed to the development of the whole person and believes that a healthy spiritual life is an essential key element of the Fairfield University experience. The Spring Break Domestic Immersion Program offers immersion opportunities around the United States during spring break for students, faculty, and staff to explore what it means to live a faith that does justice and to deepen their relationships with God.
U.S.-Mexican Border Immersion | San Diego
This program explores the impact of living near the U.S./Mexico border and the challenges faced by families, farmers, businesses, and the Chicano community. Participate in community-driven initiatives, meet grassroots organizations, and join the border patrol on a tour to understand the realities and stereotypes of immigration in this critical area.
