Immigration Focused Immersion Field Trip
Students in CORE Ministry and the Global Program participated in a four-day BorderLinks U.S./Mexico Virtual Border Immersion field trip on campus.
They also spent time around the City of Cleveland deepening their understanding of the migration and refugee situation in the United States.
Spanish teacher and Global Program Director Ms. Rebecca Levis shared, “They met virtually with a delegation leader from BorderLinks in Arizona to engage in dynamic education-based activities, witness the personal stories of migrants and learn how to work in collaboration with those who are marginalized.”
Students visited the Ignatian Spirituality Network to hear from a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, learn about ISN’s immigration advocacy and participate in letter-writing advocacy. Students then traveled to the SPACES gallery to visit the Important Papers exhibit on immigration followed by a traditional Central-American lunch. For their final stop, the group journeyed to Building Hope in the City to visit the Hope Center for Refugees and Immigrants. They heard from refugee and Academy alumna Jewel Yokie ’16 about services available for immigrants and refugees, as well as prepared backpacks for the children of newly-arriving refugee families.
“Through a virtual meeting with BorderLinks, we analyzed the cultural rituals and traditions that take place in both the United States and the Mexican States and recognized how Americans value the culture that migrants provide to our communities. We found the deeper meaning of individuals’ hopes and expectations when emigrating to the United States and how that compares to reality - being faced with language barriers, lack of employment opportunities, limited access to medical services and cultural differences." shared Clare McCarthy ’23.
