Immersion Projects
What is an Immersion Project?
Immersion Projects are off-campus, educational opportunities at sites in the United States and abroad which take place over Winter Break, Spring Break, and in May. Students spend the weeks prior to travel learning about the community and its history. Students then travel to sites ranging from Nicaragua to Morocco and from Alabama to New York City, where they immerse themselves in a the community. Each project seeks to foster a dialogue between the students and the host community around issues of social justice. By working alongside community leaders and sharing their stories, students learn about themselves and the world. Students find Immersion Projects to be exciting and powerful educational experiences.
Become an Immersion Project Leader
- Applications to be a Project Leader are due March 31.
- To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter on Handshake.
- https://www.gettysburg.edu/offices/center-for-public-service/students/immersion-projects/project-leaders-information
Before the Immersion Project:
- Participation as a student leader in GIV Day (Training: August 21, 2025; GIV Day: August 22, 2025)
- Recruitment for your trip, including the Engage EXPO (August 27, 2025).
- Facilitating the six pre-trip meetings.
- Participation in weekly meetings with all Project Leaders throughout the fall Wednesdays, 4:15-5:30pm.
- After The Immersion Project:
- Convening the group for one post-trip meeting to reflect on your experience as a whole. This will be a great opportunity to explore the group’s interest in developing an activity that extends the project in some way. It could be an educational event that brings the issues you learned back to Gettysburg, a fundraiser to support the organization you partnered with, or a creative project like an article, film screening, or blog.
- Applications for Project Leaders are due March 31, 2025 for projects scheduled during the 2025-2026 academic year. For consideration, submit your resume and cover letter on Handshake (change the link). Please email Immersion_Projects@gettysburg.edu with any questions
Apply for an Immersion Project
Apply to participate in one of our Immersion Projects! Winter Break registration opens on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Spring Break registration opens on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Financial Award Information
To ensure equity and access, significant funding lowers costs for all immersion projects; additional aid is very limited and reserved for students with demonstrated need who have exhausted other options.
Safety and Medical Information