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The Monterrey Mission
Support Project
Going to Mexico for spring break? A group of St. Edward's
students are but not for your typical getaway. Campus
ministry is offering three alternative spring break
opportunities – interested students are invited
to participate in mission trips to New York City, Colorado
Springs, and Monterrey, Mexico. These week-long immersion
trips run from March 15-19.
For the first time, a class will be offered in the spring
semester which corresponds to the Monterrey mission
trip. BUSI 3199.01 is a one credit hour course, offered
Wednesdays from 12-12:50 p.m., designed to educate students
on Monterrey's culture as well as on the various economic
and political issues facing the people of that region.
It will function as an outlet for students to absorb
and reflect on their entire Monterrey experience.
Students will be immersed in the city's culture while
on the Monterrey excursion. More importantly, participants
will voyage into the city to give their time and talent
through a variety of volunteer activities. With the
help of La Luz Parish in Monterrey, St. Edward's students
and faculty will read to children in an after school
program, visit the elderly, and accompany ministers
to spend time with the sick and homebound.
Combining volunteerism with entrepreneurship, BUSI 3199
students will conduct a needs assessment while serving
La Luz. Catherine MacDermott, who is team-teaching the
course with Anna Aldave, said that, “On their
return to Austin, these students will organize an appropriate
fundraiser designed to meet the needs of the people
served by the parish. This student-driven event might
include a clothing drive, a health and home care drive,
an educational supplies drive, or a fundraiser to send
money directly to the parish, depending on the assessments
made by the St. Edward's students.”
Not only will students embark on service learning, but
they will also get to experience an entrepreneurial
environment as well. MacDermott commented that, “The
entrepreneurial spirit is certainly alive in this class!
Students will learn how to [. . .] analyze their target
audience, develop and market a product, practice financial
skills, and be prepared to trouble shoot.” This
Monterrey immersion trip will allow students to experience
an entrepreneurial endeavor first-hand.
Combining the Monterrey volunteer experience with the
new course component is a development made possible
through the St. Edward's Mission Support Program. The
program provides courses and support that allow faculty
and students to get involved in Entrepreneurial Experiential
Learning opportunities in the non-profit sector that
are relevant to their area of interest. The program
also supports the Holy Cross Missionaries in their endeavors
to enhance the quality of life for the poor and less
fortunate through education, health care, and social
justice.
The Mission Support Program gives students the opportunity
to apply skills learned within their major to a project
that will benefit one of the missions, while increasing
understanding about the specific region and people served
by the project. Participants in this new program will
gain a greater appreciation of the ongoing works of
the religious order that founded St. Edward's and engage
students in experiential learning opportunities that
are based on the University's Mission Statement.
The Mission Support Program and the actual mission experience
are ways for students and faculty to actively live out
the Mission Statement. The act of service involved provides
a way for participants to give back to the community,
while going a step further and helping an international
community. This volunteerism will allow the St. Edward's
individuals to do their part with the resources they
have, while improving and enriching the lives of those
they help in Monterrey. |
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