During the summer, Jesuit Dallas sends groups of students on service, academic, or religious trips domestically and internationally. Some of these trips include the marine biology trip to various environmentally diverse regions, like Hawaii or the Cayman Islands. But there are also trips oriented toward service to others, such as the annual summer service immersion trips to Monterrey Mexico, and Guatemala.
These two trips focus on service towards others and experiencing the lives of people who often live wildly different lives than those of the students visiting these locations. They can also assist Spanish learners in speaking, pronunciation, and immersion in the local culture. I conducted interviews with Mr. Perry, head of Jesuit’s service immersion programs, Mrs. Bruce, computer science teacher and manager of the Monterrey service trip, and several students about their experiences.
Interview with Mrs. Moore
Below is the interview with Mrs. Moore, who led the Monterrey Service trip and works with Jesuit’s campus ministry. Mrs. Moore described the trip to Monterrey Mexico in detail.
How long has Jesuit Dallas conducted service trips in Monterrey Mexico?
Although the Monterrey travel trip has only been in existence for one year, we have traveled and served there 4 times with students. Summer 2021, Thanksgiving/Fall 2021, January/Winter 2022, Summer 2022. The populations served and the Jesuit centers providing care created a unique combination for our faith and mission to intersect. The Service Office is offering this trip again in November, just before Thanksgiving.
What do you like most about the city of Monterrey?
Well, I certainly haven’t seen all of Monterrey. From what I have seen and experienced, I enjoy the setting of the “old town” area with the original cobblestone streets that sit in the foreground of the beautiful mountains that host us for an evening reflection and dinner.
How many students are usually on the service trip?
The trip has traveled with a different number of students each time. The ideal number for this particular service experience is 14 students.
What are the day-to-day activities like?
The day-to-day activities of the service trip are unique to the day and the groups served. After breakfast and a brief group meeting, all days start with service at Casa Saint Nicolas. This is a migrant center connected to a Jesuit church. The center provides meals, rest, and safety for migrants from many different countries. Jesuit students engage in games, (cards, coloring, basketball), fellowship, meal prep, meal service, and fellowship during the meal. Each afternoon has a different activity. One afternoon students helped a local celebrity hairstylist set up a “shop” at the migration center.
Haircuts are given to migrants along with a restored sense of respect, dignity, and sense of self-care. Another afternoon and evening are spent at another partnered agency in Monterrey, NPH – Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos. This is a community of young adults who have earned scholarships to attend local colleges. They were raised in NPH’s home for orphans. Jesuit students spend time hearing their stories of childhood to college, to an educated, faithful, community member.
The other afternoon activity is a tour of the city which ends on the Chipinque mountain. The mountain lends itself to the history of the city and its people, a migrant educational session led by a Jesuit alumni/immigration attorney. All evenings close with our group gathering for a ‘day in review’; which is in the form of a themed reflection. Catholic Social Teachings lay the path for self-discovery of connections in fellowship, faith, and solidarity with those we’ve encountered each day.
Interview with Mrs. Bruce
Mrs. Bruce teaches computer science at Jesuit but also participates in the Guatemala Service Immersion Trip in the summer.
I have been working with the July Rising Seniors Guatemala since it started in 2018.
Interview with Jesuit junior William Spicer
William Spicer, a junior at Jesuit, went to Guatemala as a part of the service trip in June of 2022. He plays on the bowling team at Jesuit, records football practices for the athletic department, and competes in UIL Academics.
Why did you choose to partake in the trip to Guatemala?
I was intrigued by the Guatemala trip due to its location, and strong connection to social justice. With that, I had heard extremely good things from other students about the Guatemala trip and wanted to experience social justice immersion trips as they have a very good reputation.
What was the environment like in the place you stayed in?
Guatemala was an extremely serene place. We were all able to enjoy God’s creation in all its splendor throughout the trip. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to experience the beauty of a nearby lake (Lake Atitlan) up close because of pollution.
Mrs. Bruce spoke about how she liked “the boys being outside of their comfort zones.” What was this unfamiliar experience like?
I do think I left my comfort zone, and was actually quite pleased with it, as during the end of our trip we visited an elderly home, and with a friend of mine, made great conversation with a lady and her friend. Such a conversation allowed me to empathize with another person in different circumstances than I, something that I’m not familiar with doing.
How did the trip affect your religious or spiritual growth?
The trip truly sparked in me a fresh opinion on creating options for the poor and vulnerable while I was also challenged to take into consideration care for creation through activities such as aiding farmers. I can say that the opportunity illuminated the Jesuit motto of “Men for Others,” as I have experienced the spiritual and physical aspects of thinking and being to the best of my ability, a man for and with others.
