Stories

This past Winter Break we hosted our first in-person immersion since Winter Break 2019. We sent eight SCU students to the San Diego/Mexico border, the most militarized, technologically advanced, and highly trafficked border in the entire world. This rich trans-border culture, influenced by its proximity to the U.S./Mexico border, continues to develop a unique Chicano population and identity, making up over one-third of the city's populace. This diverse cultural group has been underrepresented politically, yet through community-driven resilience, it has survived and thrived. SCU Students participated in community-driven initiatives, met the Amigos Car Club, a grassroots organization that has curbed gang-violence in urban areas, brought water to immigrants crossing the border, visited the border area and witnessed the extreme differences between life on two sides of a wall.

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

People inspire people, at least they inspire me. The people I have met through the San Diego Immersion, whether they know it or not, have left an imprint on my heart. Even if our memories are malleable and fade over time, the lessons learned will not be forgotten. Personally, I am passionate about learning and understanding how people are affected by immigration laws and policies. Attending the San Diego immersion allowed me to entrench myself in the lives, stories, experiences of the people living on the border, the challenges and realities our people face when facing the legal and emotional repercussions. The seemingly simple activities we partook in such as working with Via International, helping set up a carnival to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helping repaint a mural on a bridge, building a bench and helping with the garden of a local elementary school, water drops along the border, walking the streets of the barrio, and connecting with locals through food and meaningful conversations—all demonstrate the power of community. Doing what we can with the resources and community support are what makes the community feel like home. Attending the San Diego Immersion allows me to reaffirm the area of work I would like to pursue, and the various opportunities to be involved with the community. I hope people will be able to see that we are all human and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. I am incredibly thankful to everyone that made this experience what it was. It allowed me to learn what it means to be a border town and hopefully I can continue to reflect and share my understanding with the people around me. It affirmed the work and location and environment and people I would like to work with and the community I would like to build and be a part of.
Maryam Khatoon ‘22

This experience made me reflect on the ways in which deep compassion and love are interwoven with a full awareness of pain and injustice. One of the things we discussed in our pre-immersion meetings was the value of being fully immersed in the present moment, and how this includes embracing painful experiences rather than shying away from them. This mindset really framed my experiences on the immersion trip, and one thing I have “taken away” from this experience is a powerful, renewed commitment to living a life of meaning, compassion, connection, and fulfillment – one that values a full, varied range of experiences and feelings over the pursuit of one-dimensional happiness.
Sophia Hartenbaum ‘22

Over winter break, I was lucky enough to go on the San Diego Immersion Trip. Having not known anyone before the trip, I was really nervous to partake in this trip with a group of strangers. On top of that, the trip’s focus was one my family and I are closely familiar with. On this trip, we learned about border communities, the impact of increased militarized practices and policy, and Chicanx culture in San Diego. It was a wonderful, event-packed week where we met with various members of the community and organizations, and we even got to attend some workshops surrounding the topic of identity. Although the week was very emotionally charged, I felt like I gained something unique and life-changing. The most impactful part of the trip for me was visiting the border wall and talking to various border experts and people who work to bring justice to migrants and border communities. My passion for social justice is reignited, I feel more confident in my knowledge about issues surrounding immigration and border life. This experience was eye opening and deeply impacts you. You grow compassion, and anger even, towards the injustices happening at the border. It better prepares you to make a difference in the future. 
Paulina Ursua Garcia ‘24

This Immersion changed the way I view the issue of the border and immigration. I would definitely encourage people to apply for an immersion experience.
Grace Yonkers-Talz ‘24

My takeaway from this Immersion has been simple admiration for people who want to come to the United States. The lack of humanity at the border is absolutely disgusting.
Emmanuel Ifediba ‘22

Overall this Immersion gave me a strong appreciation for my US citizenship status and a better awareness of the local level problems and inequalities at the US/Mexico border and at the political level.
Reed Lower ‘22

Reflection Video
Esmeralda Rodriguez '23