Iona in Mission FAQs

All trips occur during the break; however, your student leader will facilitate weekly pre-departure meetings for 6-8 weeks for training, discussion, and education with your team. Weekly meetings are 1-2 hours and consist of team bonding, cultural education, and orientation to your immersion location. Team meetings are mandatory and essential to a successful trip.

Meetings challenge students to think critically about the role of community engagement in responding to social inequities. They also provide education on the history of the location and the intersecting social systems that cause the circumstances your team may encounter. Leaders support their team in developing a sense of compassion, empowerment, and readiness to engage new people about their lived experiences. After returning, students will have a reorientation meeting to bring closure to their experience and identify ways to educate others in the Iona community.

The trip occurs during the break; however, your student leader will facilitate weekly pre-departure meetings for 6-8 weeks for training, discussion, and education with your team. Weekly meetings are 1-2 hours and consist of team bonding, cultural education, and orientation to your immersion location. Team meetings are mandatory and essential to a successful trip. 

Meetings challenge students to think critically about the role of community engagement in responding to social inequities. They also provide education on the history of the location and the intersecting social systems that cause the circumstances your team may encounter. Leaders support their team in developing a sense of compassion, empowerment, and readiness to engage new people about their lived experiences. After returning, students will have a reorientation meeting to bring closure to their experience and identify ways to educate others in the Iona community.

Iona in Mission program seeks to provide a welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds. Our student leaders will prepare team meetings to discuss the location and what to expect on your specific experience. In general, you can expect:

• Education on the Edmund Rice Story and Network.

• Participation in personal reflection, listening, small group dialogue, and small group activities.

• Thoughtful discussion of social issues related to poverty and injustice.

• Engagement in direct service alongside community partners.

• Opportunities to reflect on sustainable action to educate others and share your experiences.

These trips are not currently associated with a course, but we are working to provide options that will! 

You must apply to participate in the program. Once we review your application, a leader will call you regarding your trip placement, travel documentation, and other logistics. After being placed on a team, we require a non-refundable deposit to secure your spot; $50 for domestic and $100 for international, which covers costs incurred before the trip, such as T-shirts and other merchandise, administrative fees, and other expenses.

Any undergraduate or graduate student who wants to learn more about social justice through community engagement, leadership, and service is welcomed to participate. Each trip has a faculty/staff moderator, student leader, and participants. The number of participants depends on the housing accommodations available; however, most teams consist of 8-12 participants.

International students are welcome to participate. Travel requirements and visa regulations will depend on the student's citizenship and the destination. We are available to discuss concerns and questions with international students.

No, only enrolled students may participate in an Iona in Mission trip. To maintain institutional knowledge and awareness of Iona in Mission trips, students must expect to return to campus after the program to complete their advocacy and reorientation. Some exceptions apply for graduating seniors, however, participation is not guaranteed. For example, if a student's last semester is in May, they may not be eligible to participate in the Summer break trips.

We commit to making every effort to ensure all students can participate successfully in the program. While we cannot guarantee the same quality of support services you find here at Iona, we will do our best to provide the best possible experience. We are happy to work with Accessibility Services to discuss your needs and identify solutions.

Safety is our highest priority for all our immersion experiences. During the pre-immersion phase, we communicate with our hosts, follow local and international reporting, and review travel advisories to assess risks. In extreme cases, we consult with administrators to cancel a trip should a crisis or emergent situation occur. Additionally, the team reviews the trip itinerary, emergency contact information, and other details before departure.

We work closely with our hosts to coordinate arrival and departure times and reliable transportation throughout the immersion. The Moderator is the point of contact in an emergency, and we secure travelers' insurance for all participants.

As outlined in the student Code of Conduct, we value personal responsibility and respect for oneself and for those in the communities we visit.

All Iona in Mission participants are prohibited from consuming alcohol or other drugs during all Iona in Mission sponsored meetings, events, activities, etc. to:

• Ensure the safety of all volunteers on our immersions.

• Focus on being present and engaged.

• Maintain cohesion among participants, moderators, and community partners.

• Ensure that the group’s presence in the community does not cause any harm.

Costs vary depending on the location of the trip. Domestic programs range from $200 - $1,000 while international trips range from $1,700 to $2,200. Costs include airfare, lodging, program fees, activities, and other expenses. Prices are estimated and subject to change.

Participants pay in installments throughout the months leading up to their trip. However, students mainly fundraise individually through letter-writing, social media campaigns, personal phone calls, and other strategies to collect donations. Participants are responsible to pay for their trip in full before leaving.

We do not want finances to be a deterrent, and through the generosity of donors, funds are available to assist students in paying for their trip. Financial support is limited, and a variety of factors are taken into consideration when offering scholarships. Please consider the cost when selecting your trip preferences, as nonpayment can result in removal from the program or a financial hold placed on your account.