Service Immersion Program
The Service Immersion Program (SIP) is designed to actively engage Temple University students in meaningful experiences that foster cultural awareness, global understanding, and social responsibility through learning, service, and reflection. Our model is based on the work of BreakAway, a leader in supporting assets-based community engagement for alternative breakers across the country. Our programs are designed to be staff supported and student-led, with 2 student Experience Leaders and 1-2 Staff Advisors assigned to each group of 10-12 student participants.
In years past, we have traveled to work in the community with the Oglala Lakota Nation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, with organizations that support new immigrants, refugees, and the undocumented in El Paso, Texas, with indigenous communities in Guatemala and Ecuador, with organizations that support the differently-abled in Mobile, Alabama, and more. In 2020-21 and 2021-22, we continued our work, with health and safety regulations in place, with our community partners across the US and built new partnerships, and leveraged new opportunities with existing community partners here in the Philadelphia area and beyond.
Read about our 2020-21 program in our Annual Program Report.
Participant Applications for 2022-23 Will open soon on OwlConnect.
Applications for Staff Advisors are OPEN! Please find more information in the application available on OwlConnect.
Experience Leader Applications for 2022-23 are closed.
Please contact the Assistant Director of Student Activities, with any questions or for more information.
2022-23 Service Immersion Program Community Focus Areas, new focus areas:
- Immigration
- Sustainability & Environmental Justice
- Indigenous Rights
- Women's Rights & Domestic Violence Prevention
Spring Break: Immigration
Immigration, in partnership with HIAS Pennsylvania and Cristo Rey Border Immersion Program led by Ben Nyugen and Lily Bernard.Tentative travel location: El Paso, TX.
Watch Gracie & Reema's video about this SIP last year!
Pre-departure sessions start January 17, 2022 and will take place for 6 weeks on Tuesdays from 6-8pm on campus.
*please note that all plans are subject to change
Spring Break: Sustainability
Sustainability, led by Carly Kreiger & Scarlett Catalfamo.
Tentative travel location: Asheville, NC
Watch Will & Scarlett's video about their SIP last year!
Pre-departure sessions start January 17, 2023 and will take place for 6 weeks on Tuesdays from 6-8pm on campus.
*please note that all plans are subject to change
May 13-19, 2023: Indigenous Rights
Indigenous Rights, led by Alanis Cabrera & Aria DeSilva.
Location: Pine Ridge South Dakota
*please note that all plans are subject to change
May 14 - 20, 2023: Women's Rights & Domestic Violence Prevention
Women's Rights & Domestic Violence Prevention, led by Aba Smith & Kat Janeczko.
Tentative location: Chicago, IL
*please note that all plans are subject to change