First-Year Students Take Part in Inaugural Worcester Immersion Program

Last week during Fall Break, a group of Holy Cross students packed their bags and headed off campus to immerse themselves in a new culture and community that was only minutes from their residence halls. From Friday, Oct. 7 to Wednesday, Oct. 12, 10 first-year students and two senior leaders, moved out of their dorms and into Concordia Lutheran Church in Worcester as part of the inaugural Worcester Immersion Program.  Designed in response to student requests for such a program, the Chaplains’ Office created the experience especially for first year-students to become engaged with their new city.

“The idea of having a Worcester Immersion Program came from students initially,” says Martin Kelly, assistant chaplain and director of the Arrupe Immersion Program. “It seemed that each year a student would come to my office asking whether we could develop a program to allow students to draw closer to the city and its people.  The emergence of the Fall Break allowed us to think more creatively about this, and the Worcester Immersion became a reality.”

The program was organized by Linda Sula ’12, who worked as an intern for the Chaplain’s Office over the summer.  Her time was spent exclusively forming contacts within the Worcester community, and creating a program that combined cultural, social, civic and service activities.

Throughout the week, students visited various houses of worship to learn about Worcester’s religious diversity, they ate at local ethnic restaurants, visited cultural organizations including the Worcester Art Museum, attended the Columbus Day Parade, and participated in various service opportunities such as serving meals to the homeless, and volunteering at afterschool programs.  

Dan Sheehan ’12, one of the leaders of the trip, explains, “Part of what made this trip unique was the breath of experiences we had, from volunteering at Abby’s House and Friendly House to learning about Islam at the Worcester Islamic Center, as well as listening and sharing in the open and friendly community at Concordia Lutheran, where we stayed for the duration of the trip.”

Christopher Campbell ’15 says it was meeting citizens of Worcester, particularly the children, that was one of most rewarding experiences. “I don't have any siblings, but I was able to see them as my little brothers and sisters. I miss them already.”

Sheehan and his co-leader, Colleen Melaugh ’12, had both participated in Spring Break immersion programs previously, including trips to New Orleans, Appalachia and El Salvador. However, both agreed that every immersion trip is unique, and this one was rewarding in a new type of way, because Worcester is their home away from home.

“It was eye opening to see the same needs I have seen through participating in other immersion trips domestically and internationally exist right outside of our gates,” explains Melaugh. “It has motivated the group to maintain the relationships we formed and to participate in the community beyond just the one week we spent on immersion.”

On the final day, students had the opportunity to meet with Worcester Mayor Joseph O’Brien and other elected officials at City Hall to gain their perspective on the city and all that is has to offer.  They also gained insight on what City Hall is doing to address the issues that the students had experienced at first-hand, including in the areas of poverty, religion, and education.

“Our meeting with Mayor O'Brien on the last day rounded out the trip as we were able to have a substantial discussion about what we as Holy Cross students can do to make a difference in our community," says Andrew Sullivan '15.

“I would definitely recommend this experience to other first-year students for I strongly believe that all first-year students should take part in activities that allow them to immerse themselves into Worcester. We live here now, so we are a part of the Worcester community,” Campbell says.

In addition to Worcester, students also took part in Fall Break Immersion Programs in Camden, N.J., Chicago, Ill., and at L’Arche communities (faith-based communities of people with and without intellectual disabilities) in Haverhill, Mass. and Syracuse, N.Y.