New kind of vacation

By Editorial

The students who spent time in New Orleans over winter vacation serve as models for Santa Clara's emphasis on creating socially aware and driven students.

While many students worked on their tans at luxurious beaches in Cabo-this or San-that or tested their aptitude for sitting on couches watching TV for extended periods of time without developing bedsores, students like Caroline Mooser were driven to help hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.

The Santa Clara applauds students who spend their time in service, during school or break, whether in New Orleans, in Mexico, or somewhere else.

We feel that all students should consider devoting time in service to others. It is clear that immersion programs offer students who wouldn't necessarily have time for service during the academic quarter to spend at least part of their vacations helping others and gaining maturity.

True, many people need to relax over vacations and take advantage of some well-deserved (sometimes un-deserved) R&R. But students like sophomore Ann Thomas and freshman Katherine Fier provide proof that a vacation spent in service can be an excellent opportunity for personal growth and developing better social awareness. Maybe this is more important than 12 hours of sleep or an even tan.

While the figures for rebuilding New Orleans are approaching astronomical figures, it may seem hard to see the benefit of a few students helping the efforts. However, exposing students to a disaster like Katrina can help inspire service in the future and provide a lasting, unforgettable experience. The development of leaders and people of independently motivated action is more important than how much an immersion program physically accomplishes.

If you are interested in devoting some time to an immersion program -- it's a great way to see the world with "new eyes" and get to know your fellow students -- applications are now available in Campus Ministry and the Arrupe Partnerships office for trips over spring break.