Immersions

As a Catholic institution rooted in the teachings of John Baptist De la Salle, our lives act as an example of lifelong education and commitment to social justice. An immersion trip offers opportunities for greater learning through experiential-based programs that engage students with the richness of the Lasallian and Catholic tradition to foster faith and solidarity.

Immersions are spearheaded by the Mission & Ministry Center's Justice Education team. In January 2025, the team - along with SMC staff members Philip Goodwin (Alumni Office) and Karla Henriquez (Financial Aid Office) brought back into existence our justice-focused immersion trips - on hold since 2020 - with a well received “The Human Cost of Food” immersion to the Salinas/Watsonville area. Check out this article written by Sam Nobile '25 about his experience. This immersion was followed up with a clothing drive to support the Center for Farmworker Families, an organization that hosted our group during the January trip.

A second "Human Cost of Food" immersion experience was held during the Fall 2025 MidTerm break, and included visiting San Juan Bautista State Historic park, the California Welcome Heritage Center, Martinelli's Company Store, JSM Organics, and the Salinas Farmers' Market; and participating in a farmworker "reality" experience through the Center for Farmworker Families.

Students experienced the manual labor of agricultural work, heard directly from people whose daily hard work results in the food we enjoy on our tables, assessed the social forces which perpetuate unjust systems, and grew in solidarity and action as framed through Catholic Social Teaching principles. The weekend included time for the group to reflect on and process their experience, and well as build community with one another.

During Jan Term break (January 25-29, 2026), another immersion trip will be sponsored by the Mission & Ministry Center. This immersion trip will be to Tucson, Arizona and is called "El Otro Lado." Hosted by our sister Lasallian school in Tucson, San Miguel High School, this will be five-day immersion with the goals of raising awareness about migration, emphasizing human rights and values of equality, inclusion, social justice, diversity, and respect for all.

The cost of the five-day trip for students is $100, and includes airfare, meals, transportation, and all aspects of the immersion experience.

Before registering, please keep in mind:

This immersion includes air travel; A valid Real ID or passport is required, even though the entirety of this trip will take place in the U.S. (the group will not cross the border into Mexico)
Space is limited; Before you register, please be sure to double check your availability to ensure that you are available for the entire trip (gathering on Saturday, January 24 for immersion preparation, leaving Sunday January 25 from either Oakland or SFO airport, and returning on Friday, January 30); See below for a tentative schedule.

Questions? Contact Brother Steven Vasoli (srv8@stmarys-ca.edu) with any questions.

Registration for this immersion is reaching capacity; To inquire about spots available (or to be placed on the waitlist) please contact Br. Steven Vasoli (srv8@stmarys-ca.edu)

Sample/tentative schedule, as provided by the El Otro Lado Immersion program:

Sunday, January 25	Day of Arrival & Orientation Orientation Activities Mass at the University of Arizona Newman Center Grocery Shopping / Settling at Casa Mariposa
Monday, January 26	Theme: Community Visiting Humane Borders or Tucson Samaritans, possible water drop Visiting Chicanos Por La Causa Visiting No Mas Muertes
Tuesday, January 27	Theme: Faith Dinner at Brothers' Community House Tour of Nogales, AZ; Tour of Tumacacori Mission; Tour of San Xavier del Bac
Wednesday, January 28	Theme: Justice Tour of San Miguel High School Visit Border Patrol Station Visit Immigration Courts in Tucson Interview a federal judge or attorney Visit the Mexican Consulate in Tucson
Thursday, January 29	Tohono O'odham Nation Visit and presentation at San Solano Mission Visit to the Tohono O'odham Cultural Center District Presentation on Culture, History, and Immigration Visit to the San Miguel Gate at U.S./Mexico border
Friday, January 30	Day of Final Reflection & Departure

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Immersions hosted by the Mission & Ministry Center expand students’ experience with solidarity in the following ways:

Educationally: participants will examine the various social factors through a variety of perspectives, histories, and realities.
Culturally: participants will increase their awareness, engagement, and humility in the culture of their respective immersion.
Spiritually: participants will explore a culture of spirituality through conversations on faith and values with their peers and within the respective immersion communities.
Relevant Social Justice issues: applying Catholic Social Teaching and other social justice theories to examine justice issues related to that time and place

four people shaking hands and checking boxes

Here is what previous immersion participants have said:

“Service is a way to express the importance of human life. It is never for “saving” someone, but rather meeting someone how they want to be met.”

“I have realized human interaction is solely based on open-mindedness and love. It is so human to love…”

“I actually wanted more...”

“Happiest I have been during my time at Saint Mary’s”

“[It was great] talking to people who are exactly like us...but find themselves in different situations with no control over them”