The Spring Break Immersion Experience

"In the Spring of my sophomore year, I went to Cape Charles, VA. Rather than only admiring the views of this small ocean-front community, we literally lived with the people there in order to experience and comprehend their everyday problems. Although I realized I could not solve the problems encountered each day in fellowship, I knew I didn't have to. We became a part of the town--living on their streets, eating their southern home-cooking, and enjoying their jokes, music, and just plain company. We helped them as much as we could, and we had each other to lean on at the end of the day. I had no idea what to expect at first, but I came from the trip with new friends from all classes and a new perspective on my life at as well as away from Holy Cross." -Katie Dearing '08

This past year students traveled to Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississipi, and Alabama. Each group and their group leader travels to the sites by mini van - many students comment that the road trip to and from the site is one of the best aspects of the program. The length of the van ride depends on the site. The eastern shore sites of Virginia are about 8 hours away, while the Kentucky sites are a two-day drive. Students going to the gulf coast region travel by planes.

The accommodations vary by site. Some students stay in homeless shelters or fire stations, while others bunk up in churchs or local schools. At most sites, food is prepared by community volunteers. Kimball Dining Services provides all groups with plenty of snacks for the ride down and the week on site - no one needs to worry about going hungry!

Each spring break, we enter into solidarity with a cross section of our nation, from New Orleans, LA to Wheeling, WV.The relationships we form with these communities each spring inspires us to return every year.