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.
Currently, the Mission and Ministry Center offers two immersion experiences for students, which are led by the MMC's Justice Education team: "The Human Cost of Food" Immersion to Salinas/Watsonville during MidTerm Break, and "El Otro Lado" which takes place in and around Tucson, AZ during Jan Term Break.
Human Cost of Food Immersion
October 22-25, 2026
Salinas/Watsonville, CA
The Human Cost of Food Immersion experience will be held during the Fall 2026 MidTerm break, and will include visits to: 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 will experience the manual labor of agricultural work, hear directly from people whose daily hard work results in the food we enjoy on our tables, assess the social forces which perpetuate unjust systems, and grow in solidarity and action as framed through Catholic Social Teaching principles. The experience will include time for the group to reflect on and process their experience, and well as build community with one another.
Check out this article written by Sam Nobile '25 about his experience in 2025.
Please contact Br. Steven Vasoli (srv8@stmarys-ca.edu) with any questions. Due to generous donors & scholarships, the cost to participants is only $25 and covers housing, meals, transportation, and all aspects of the immersion experience.
To register for The Human Cost of Food Immersion, CLICK HERE.
El Otro Lado Immersion
January 31 - February 5, 2027
Tucson, AZ
During Jan Term break, 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 estimated to be about $150 (exact cost TBD), and includes airfare, housing, meals, transportation, and all aspects of the immersion experience.
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; Details and a registration link will be available later this fall.
Read this article written by Br. Steven Vasoli and Carrie Davis about the January 2026 El Otro Lado Immersion
Contact Brother Steven Vasoli (srv8@stmarys-ca.edu) with any questions.
Why participate in an immersion experience?
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
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”