Engagement with the Common Good classes are a requirement for the core curriculum at Cabrini University with topics that range from immigration to lobbying in Congress. Students have a special opportunity to travel the world to Haiti in the summer of 2017 for an ECG 200 level class taught by business department professor Vonya Womack.
The trip is almost fully covered by Cabrini and students who need to fulfill their 200 level credit are encouraged to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity. Students will be charged approximately $300 and will run during the Summer Session 1 from June 6 to 14 in Trobeck, Haiti.
When was the last time that you were fully engulfed in another culture? Students who take this hands-on experience will travel with employees of USLI (United States Liability Insurance) who are fulfilling Corporate Social Responsibility for their company.
Organizations like Catholic Relief Services go on similar trips that work on topics that relate to this experience. Bettering the people that live in these countries in poverty so they can one day thrive as a nation is the main foundation of what is being done.
“My personal reason for taking this trip is really to work on a model for integrating corporate social responsibility and integral human development,” Womack said. “They market future employees and their customers about the ‘CSR’ they participate in.”
Students will learn about Haiti’s culture, history, religions and reasons why their economy suffers. They will also work next to the USLI employees to putting in water filtration systems that provide clean water to communities with the Haitian workers. In talking with these employees, even more knowledge will be passed onto the eager Cabrini minds.
USA Today describes an immersion trip as an experience aimed at getting students outside of their comfort zone and into the harsh realities of impoverished communities, both domestic and abroad. “The Haitian people are very kind, loving and a people of great pride in their family and faith traditions,” Womack said.
Due to a study published by Mesa Community College, following a college-based service learning immersion trip, participants reported better coping with stress in their lives and a stronger sense of vocation. “Immersing one’s self in a new country is an experience like no other,” senior Colin McGavin said. “Study abroad programs allow students to learn and grow while engaging with new culture, these programs also look great on resumes.”
Study abroad programs have been ever growing in popularity because of the destination sought after, but immersion trips are about the give and take to be mutually beneficial. With these trips, come educational goals that have the potential to change the lives of everyone involved, push comfort zones and gain appreciation for what surrounds us.
“Students interested should know the weather will be hot and the water cool as the community is located right on the ocean,” Womack said. “I want students to have the opportunity to meet Haitian people, experience their culture and work alongside corporate employees.”
