WHAT IS A COMMUNITY

IMMERSION PROGRAM?
• Community immersion programs are designed to get prospective or existing
college or university students acquainted with issues in their local
communities or abroad. Students usually do some volunteer work on service
projects that deal with environmental, social or economic issues the
community faces. Field trips, meetings with local leaders and social activities
with those in the community are also common.
• Community immersion programs can fulfill different purposes. Some of
them are designed to help first-year college students adjust to the new
community and make connections with each other and other residents. Some
schools also offer the programs as a research opportunity or as a mandatory
course requirement. There are others that are designed for students to visit
another country and experience the life of another culture.
• Some topics students in a community immersion program may explore
include intergroup relations, entrepreneurship, social change, the
community's history and changes residents face. As part of the program,
students may help out at local soup kitchens, host social activities for a
community group such as seniors, clean trash from roads or trails, plan
activities with children or help individuals with their jobs. The programs can
last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the purpose.