Immersion: Citizens Take Action

Rooted in the academic mission of Rollins to educate students for global citizenship and responsible leadership, Immersion is committed to engage students, faculty, and staff in communities in Florida and beyond through weekends (and sometimes week-long) experiences of education, reflection, and action.   

To create leaders who are prepared for the big challenges and questions that face communities in the 21st Century.

As many Rollins students will tell you, Immersions are terrific opportunities to meet your fellow students, learn about an impact area to serve with a new community, and bring your passions to life. As one participant said, “This was a once in a lifetime experience!”

Weekend Immersions are offered to Rollins community members free of cost and include transportation, lodging, and meals. Here’s what you can expect on a typical weekend Immersion:

• Before departing campus, meet with the facilitators (two students and a faculty/staff member) and your fellow participants to get to know one another and learn about the community, social issue, and nonprofit partners with whom you will be engaging
• Leave campus around 5:00 PM 
• Stay in community housing accommodations paid for by the Immersion program*
• Eat meals together – all meals are provided by the Immersion program!
• Serve with nonprofit organizations for 6-10 hours throughout the weekend
• Experience the community through cultural activities
• Reflect on your experiences with the facilitators and participants
• Return to campus by 7:00 PM on Sunday

Alternative Spring Breaks are similar to weekend Immersions, but much more intense! Groups typically travel further from Rollins, either by plane or car, and stay in the community for 5-8 days. Participants can expect to:

• Attend 3-4 pre-departure meetings with your team of three facilitators and twelve participants, learning about one another, the social issue you will be addressing, and the community you will be entering
• Experience intense community service, which sometimes includes early mornings and long days
• Undergo group exploration of the unique community offerings, such as museums, monuments, parks, neighborhoods, or community centers
• Do nightly reflections on service, empathy, social justice, and community-centered change
• Cook/prepare meals in small teams, taking into account your fellow participants' needs
• Stay together in community-based housing, which could include churches, YMCAs, bunkhouses, rental homes, or camping*
• Bring an open mind, maintain a positive attitude, and ask for support when needed

*Specific housing accommodations will be disclosed as part of the application process. Participants are expected to stay in the housing provided and may be asked to share queen/king size beds. Romantic partners will be asked to sleep in different beds/rooms.

All Immersions are drug and alcohol free.

We have many students who apply to attend Immersions, and we want to make sure we have a well-rounded, diverse team of participants! We take into account things like your year and major, your previous Immersion experience, and your answers to a few short questions. To give more people opportunities, we preference those who have not attended an Immersion before. Your answers to the essay questions don’t have to be long, but please take some time to give thoughtful responses. Questions about the selection process can be directed to immersion@rollins.edu.

• Upcoming Opportunities
• Immersion Planning Team 2022-2023