Mev Puleo Scholarship
in Latin American Theology and Culture
Description of the 2007 Summer Program
The summer immersion program in Nicaragua is one component of the Mev Puleo Scholarship in Latin American Theology and Culture. It is open only to recipients of the Puleo scholarship. For two months in the summer of 2007, scholarship recipients will live with poor families in the city of Managua, Nicaragua. During their stay in Nicaragua, participants will be exposed to leaders in many different sectors of Nicaraguan society, such as: Church leaders, small Church community organizers, grassroots activists, social workers, politicians, student activists, medical workers, and farm workers, among others. Special emphasis will be paid to understanding the situation of women and children. The hope is that students will return with a theology deepened and changed by their encounters with the poor in Latin America.
Phase I : Two-week program at the Center for Global Education in Managua. After two nights at the CGE, students move to host families for the remainder of their stay in Nicaragua.
Phase II : Six week program, including:
*Classes in Spanish, twice a week
*Volunteer work at service sites, three times a week
*Group theological reflections, once a week
*3-4 weekend trips to different cities in Nicaragua
*Attend talks at Ben Linder House, once a week
Time frame:
Preparation: Spring 2007
*Overnight retreat Sunday, Jan. 28 beginning at noon until Monday 9a.m. Jan. 29, at Manresa Center
*Group Meetings (in which students will be exposed to Latin American theology, history, and culture)-Fridays, 3-5PM: February 9 and 23, March 9 and 23, April 13 and 27, and May 11, HU 344.
Immersion experience in Nicaragua: Summer 2007
*May 20-July 15, 2007.
Evaluation and Processing: Fall 2007
*Group Evaluation/Reflection Sept 7 and 14, 3-5PM
*Dress rehearsal for presentations, Saturday, Sept. 15, 3-5PM
*Group Presentations for SLU Community, Monday, Sept. 17, 7-9PM
Cost:
Programming, airfare, housing, meals and transportation within Nicaragua will be provided by the Mev Puleo Scholarship. Personal and medical expenses are not covered by the scholarship. Students should expect to spend approximately $150 for shots, $100 for international travel insurance, $80 for a passport, $50-100 for supplies, $50-100 for books, and $200-300 in spending money. Medical expenses in Nicaragua are also the responsibility of the student.
College Credit:
Three hours of theology credit will be given for successful completion of the immersion program. The course will be recorded in the Fall semester upon completion of the requirements.
Academic requirements:
*assigned reading before, during, and after the trip
*attendance at pre- and post-trip meetings
*participation in theological reflection meetings in Nicaragua
*six short theological reflections written in Nicaragua submitted via email to the faculty coordinator
*ten minute final presentation on Sept. 17
*Rough Draft of 8-10 page synthesis paper due Sept. 7
*Final Draft of synthesis paper due Sept. 14
Program Coordinators:
Faculty and staff from the Department of Theological Studies will coordinate the program.
A faculty member from the Theological Studies Department at SLU will lead the preparatory sessions, evaluate papers, and coordinate post-trip meetings.
A guide will travel to Nicaragua with the scholarship recipients and lead theological reflections.
Who may apply:
Graduate students or undergraduate students majoring or minoring in Theological Studies at Saint Louis University who:
*demonstrate significant academic achievement by having achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
*demonstrate a commitment to social justice and service to the poor by having completed over 50 hours of community service.
*are able to show how their participation in the immersion experience relates to their vocational goals.
*have basic competence in Spanish language or are willing to take a Spanish course in the spring semester of 2005.
*show the maturity needed for a rigorous immersion experience, as well as a commitment to being part of a community of students who will travel, learn, and process their experience together.
Application Process:
*October 2-Applications available in the Department of Theological Studies and online
*TBA -INFORMATION SESSION from 4:30-5 PM, Humanities 142
*November 1--Applications due (include form, essay, two letters of recommendation
*November 3--Applicants contacted for interviews
*November 8-Interviews begin with the Puleo Scholarship Committee, Humanities 344
*November 15, 2004-Scholarship recipients notified via email
Deposit
A deposit of $250.00 is required of all Scholarship winners to secure their spot in the program. The deposit will be returned upon completion of the trip.