International Marquette Action Program — I.M.A.P.

“Students, in the course of their formation, must let the gritty reality of this world into their lives, so they can learn to feel it, think about it critically, respond to its suffering and engage it constructively." — Rev. Peter Hans Kolvenbach, former Superior General of the Society of Jesus.

Registration closes on September 30, 2024: 

Register Here!

Learn about our Belize trip here

Campus Ministry and I.M.A.P. have had a long tradition of offering students the opportunity to put themselves into the world to learn more deeply the values of justice, solidarity, simplicity, self-identity and vocation. I.M.A.P. has always been rooted in the mission of Marquette University and the challenge set by the value of service: “Marquette strives to develop men and women who will dedicate their lives to the service of others, actively entering into the struggle for a more just society.” This development takes more than just a trip to Belize, Ecuador, Haiti, South Africa or anywhere in the world. It is a full-year program of engagement, service and reflection to understand ourselves and the gritty reality we are facing, and to connect it all to the “gritty reality” of our local and our university community.

I.M.A.P.’s goal is to walk with students who are transformed by their experience and who will transform the world in which they live — who will, in a phrase, become women and men for and with others. To do this, students will:

•  Immerse themselves into the community they serve by taking on a lifestyle of simplicity and service.
•  Reflect critically on issues of faith, privilege and justice as they relate to the poor and our relationship with them.
•  Expose ourselves to the wonderful diversity of God’s creation and challenge ourselves to push our boundaries and expand our comfort zones.
•  Learn new skills, languages and talents for the purpose of creating a more just and loving world.

I.M.A.P. Experience

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Pre-Immersion

After applying and being selected for an I.M.A.P. trip you will participate in the pre-immersion preparation process. All students participating in I.M.A.P. will meet during the semester leading up to the individual trips. Each trip participant will be expected to attend a day retreat intended for team building and reflection on themes specific to the trip’s focus. All pre- and post-trip meetings are mandatory participation, with no exceptions. These are opportunities for you to reflect, share and get to know one another; to learn more about the community you will be visiting and the current issues facing that community; and to get details for trip preparation, travel, etc.

Immersion

On your I.M.A.P. trip, you will be accompanied by one or two staff members who have been working with you during the pre-immersion portion of the program. Your I.M.A.P. group will be hosted by a local organization that will take care of the logistics for your stay. Each trip varies in terms of what activities you will participate in, so please be open and flexible. I.M.A.P. South Africa will also accept past participants from Latin American I.M.A.P. trips.

Post-Immersion

While the trip may have ended, I.M.A.P. is a journey that is never truly over. More than an end goal, we believe that the immersion itself is a starting point for ongoing reflective and critical engagement of the realities of our local and global community. For this reason, participants commit to meeting at least three times upon return from the trip to continue processing, sharing stories and determining next steps toward integrating the immersion experience into life at Marquette University and beyond.