Magis Immersion and Justice Program

An International Immersion and Faith Experience

IHSMagis, the Ignatian ideal of more, asks people to “go deeper” and pay more intimate attention to their feelings, their experiences, their significant relationships with others and with God.  The Magis International Immersion and Justice Program puts this ideal into practice – traveling to developing countries, encountering the people where they are, learning about the international social justice issues by accompanying others, and reflecting on our experiences in the light of faith. These are not service trips, but rather focused on building relationships, solidarity with the poor, growing in faith and awareness of social justice issues, and reflection.  The trips are open to all Georgetown University undergraduate students.

Over Spring Break  (1-8 March) we traveled to San Salvador, El Salvador.  Read about and see photos of our delegation:  Trip Report, Student Article, Photos

Over Summer Break (29 May-13 June) we traveled to Arusha, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  Click here for Photos.

Stay tuned for information about Magis for the 2008-09 academic year.

              

                 

SantaMonicaMural
Youth mural in Santa Monica, San Vicente, El Salvador

For our trip to El Salvador, we are partnering with the SHARE Foundation.  SHARE has extensive experience with these types of trips and will make all our arrangements for us.  Prayer and reflection on this trip will be in the Christian tradition.  Sponsored by Catholic Campus Ministry -- all are welcome.
 

An Art Miles Mural, from the Multicultural Diversity Mile

Our trip to Tanzania, East Africa is co-sponsored by the Office of Campus Ministry and the Center for Social Justice, Research, Teaching and Service.  We will partner with Global Alliance for Africa, who will make all our arrangements.  This is an interfaith trip.  All are welcome.
 

 For more information on El Salvador:
 
 
 
CRIPDES

For more information on Tanzania and places we will visit:

"A Christian university must take into account the Gospel preference for the poor. This does not mean that only the poor study at the university; it does not mean that the university should abdicate its mission of academic excellence – excellence needed in order to solve complex social problems. It does mean that the university should be present intellectually where it is needed: to provide science for those who have no science; to provide skills for the unskilled; to be a voice for those who do not possess the academic qualifications to promote and legitimate their rights."
-Ignacio Ellacuria, SJ , professor, rector and martyr from the Universidad Centroamericana "José Simeón Cañas" (UCA)

For more information about the Magis program, contact Program Directors Ethan DeCoster or Catherine Heinhold.  For the Tanzania trip, you may also contact Dr. Deanna Cooke.

Things to Know

El Salvador Trip Important Dates

Trip Dates:  2009 date TBA
Total cost (before fundraising efforts): TBA

We will fly together from Washington Dulles Airport to Aeropuerto Internacional Comalapa, San Salvador.
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A "sample" day in El Salvador

7:30am Breakfast at the guesthouse
8:30am Leave the guesthouse
9:00am Meeting with an economist to learn about Salvadoran economic reality
12:00pm Lunch
1:30pm Leave for the Central American University (UCA)
2:00pm Meeting with a theologian at the UCA
3:30pm Tour the museum and rose garden commemorating the 6 Jesuit priests and 2 women who were martyred at the UCA in 1989
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Group reflection and prayer

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East Africa Trip Important Dates

Trip Dates: 2009 dates TBA
Total cost (before fundraising efforts): TBA

We will fly together from Washington Dulles Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania.

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A “sample” day in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

8:00 Inter-faith morning prayer
8:30 Breakfast at Guest House
9:30 Visit to the Global Alliance for Africa Safe Water Program
12:00 Lunch with Georgetown partners
1:00 Afternoon drive around Dar es Salaam
3:00 Play with local children
5:00 Dinner
7:00 Question and Answer session about our day with a local expert
8:30 Evening reflection and group-sharing

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To do now:

  • Get a passport, or renew yours if it will expire in the next year. Click here for information.
  • Begin thinking about fundraising. Possible sources of funds: extended family members, your home parish, businesses at home.
  • Check with your health-insurance provider about coverage overseas.  Check the CDC website for information about recommended immunizations.
  • Check to see if you need a visa to enter El Salvador (U.S. Citizens do not need a visa as long as they purchase a $10 tourist card at the airport, which is included in your fee). Citizens of other countries may need a visa. Click here to see what your El Salvador visa requirements are.  For Tanzania, citizens of most countries will need a visa.  Visa forms will be due to Magis staff in January.  Click for the visa forms for Tanzania.

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