Service and Justice Experiences

The SJE program encourages encounter with diverse perspectives. During the selection process, we aim for diversity of graduation year, major, extracurricular interest, gender, race and religious identity. This may ask participants to step out of their comfort zones and get to know new people that they might not normally interact with. 

 Each group ranges from 6–10 members, including two student leaders and one or two staff mentors (usually a campus minister, grad student, or other Villanova faculty or staff). 

The leadership team prepares and facilitates group discussions and reflections. They also communicate logistics, requirements, expectations and other important information to the group.

Each SJE has a specific topic or theme to give focus to group discussions. The theme is then encountered firsthand during the immersion week. Groups use Catholic social teaching to analyze, discuss,and reflect upon their theme.

During the immersion, groups can expect a combination of direct service, workshops, educational opportunities, relationship building and free time to experience the community. They will also have time for prayer, personal reflection and communal discussion. 

Some SJEs place a greater emphasis on direct service. Others give more attention to skill-building and education.

The cost of each SJE covers program fees, on-site meals, transportation and lodging. We recommend that students bring about $150 of personal spending money for meals in transit, snacks and keepsakes.

Each group participates in a fundraiser. Need-based scholarships are also available. Students may also set up an individualized payment plan (to do so, please contact the program director). 

More info on the cost of each SJE can be found by the site descriptions.

SJEs are grounded in Catholic social teaching but are open to students of all faith identities and philosophical perspectives. We simply ask that participants be open to encountering “God-talk,” which informs the work of many of our partner organizations, as well as the mission of the SJE program.

SJEs encourage critical reflection on the role of religion in the modern world. Most important is a commitment to the dignity of every person and a desire to develop a personal worldview that is committed to social transformation for justice and the liberation of the oppressed.

Safety is always a priority on SJEs. 

Members of the leadership team get instructions on how to deal with a variety of physical, mental and emotional-health issues that could arise. 

Groups are equipped with a first aid kit. 

Groups driving to their destination use Villanova-certified vehicles, and drivers complete a training course.

We work closely with community partners in cases of emergency. We collect emergency contact details during the application process, and a Campus Ministry staff member is on call 24-7 during the immersion week. 

Students are asked to travel with their insurance card and any other necessary medical information and to keep these with them at all times.

Leaders will give you a detailed packing list specific to your SJE. In general, follow these guidelines:

Bring simple attire (jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts, comfortable shoes, work boots, lounge clothes for evenings, and one nicer outfit for a religious service or dinner at a restaurant). 

Pack toiletries, a water bottle and a journal. Some sites require that students bring a pillow and sleeping bag. 

Do not bring more than a carry-on suitcase or duffel bag and one personal item, such as a book bag.

Do not bring schoolwork, laptop computers or other technology, weapons of any kind, nonprescription drugs or alcohol. Regardless of age, you may not purchase or consume nonprescription drugs and alcohol during your immersion or any SJE-related activities.

Students are asked to fast from technology during portions of their SJE. Putting away our devices allows us to be fully present to one another, our community partners and everyone we encounter.

Aside from a “documentarian” designated each day during the immersion, students are asked to refrain from taking photographs. We do no enter communities as “poverty tourists” but in respectful encounter and committed solidarity with those working for justice.

Leaders will have their devices with them at all times in case of emergency. Students will be able to call home in cases of need.

SJEs are not simply weeklong immersion trips. They are two-month experiences that includes relationship building, education, prayerful reflection, and acts of service and justice. 

Students are asked to commit to the full program cycle and to attend and participate actively in all aspects of the experience, including

half-day kick-off retreat

two mandatory trainings pre-departure

coffee dates, a group fundraiser and other activities determined by the leadership team

weeklong immersion

post-immersion retreat day

Outside of the immersion week, the average weekly commitment is two hours.

Participants must have received a complete cycle (one or two doses, depending on which vaccine you receive) of a COVID-19 vaccine to participate in the SJE program. Students must be able to provide documentation upon request.