Resources and Programs > Experiential Learning > The Center for Global Perspectives
The Center for Global Perspectives
Going International: the Global Experience
The Global Experience is a cornerstone of a Holy Cross education.
Students meet their Global Experience requirement by taking a course about today's global issues including trade, poverty, environmental issues, cultural differences, faith, language and history. The course ends with travel to one of four countries -- Ghana, Peru, Mexico or India. These locations were chosen because they are places where Holy Cross College students can connect with the Congregation of Holy Cross network. While on location, students stay at Holy Cross retreat centers and each day go out on day trips to experience life in these developing countries.
The Global Experience lasts anywhere from one to three weeks. Students are accompanied by faculty chaperones as well as the Brothers, Priests and Sisters of the Congregation of Holy Cross who are serving in the destination country. The local Holy Cross communities act as gracious hosts while providing invaluable local knowledge. When the Global Experience program first started, some students and their parents were apprehensive about the travel, however reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Students speak of the trip as one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives!
Although the majority of expenses for these trips are covered by tuition, there are two administrative course fees of $500 each semester during the year of travel for a total fee of $1,000. This fee helps defray the costs of travel visas, insurance, and other fees. Airfare, food, lodging, and travel in country are covered.
Ghana
In the summer of 2000, a group of 12 bold pioneering students led Holy Cross College into Africa. Since then, HCC has offered this course as part of our growing Center for Global Perspectives Program. The Ghana Experience focuses on examining that great land through the eyes of faith. We spend over two weeks alongside the amazing Holy Cross Brothers, a group of young, vibrant men of faith. They host us at a beautiful retreat center and accompany us as we explore Ghana.
We encounter some of Africa's most profound historical and ecological sites including the old slave prisons that held untold millions of Africans when the coast of Ghana was the center of the slave trade. We also explore the world famous Kakum Rain Forest, home to a unique canopy walk -- rope bridges that allow you to walk among the treetops! Through the Brothers' ministry we also encounter the deep Christian faith that has the Church there literally dancing for joy.
Professor Michael Griffin's Ghana Blog
The Congregation of Holy Cross Celebrates 50 Years in Ghana
Peru
The Congregation of Holy Cross in Lima, Peru operates one of the largest parishes in the entire world -- over 200,000 people! They run a school for thousands of poor children which follows the educational philosophy of the Congregation of Holy Cross -- to educate hearts and minds. Our students participate by helping to teach English and Religion at the school. We also get involved in the Holy Cross ministry for persons born with severe birth defects, who are often neglected by family and society in third world settings. In addition, each year the Holy Cross College group takes a special concern for a chapel in the parish doing repair and improvements to the building. The historical and visual highlight of the trip is the hike to the ancient mountain retreat of the Inca leaders, Machu Picchu, one of the "Seven Wonders of the World."
Professor Michael Griffin's Peru Blog
Monterrey, Mexico
On the Monterrey trip, Holy Cross students visit this rapidly growing city in northern Mexico where the Congregation runs a large parish. The group learns about issues of poverty and justice while experiencing the rich cultural heritage of Mexican Catholicism, especially devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the practice of Las Posadas, which takes place in the days before Christmas. Issues of immigration and social reform are also addressed. Many people in Monterrey have personal and family experiences with crossing the US border for work and they share this perspective with our students. Our students get involved in service work in parish schools, explore the vibrant open air markets of Monterrey, and take a trip into the surrounding mountains.
India
For over 150 years, the Congregation of Holy Cross has served in Asia. Beginning in Bangladesh and then moving to India, this is one of the fastest growing regions for the Brothers, Sisters and Priests of Holy Cross. The Church is very active in India even though Christianity is a minority religion there. Holy Cross is involved in several schools, parishes and other ministries, which our students visit and serve during their trip. We travel to see the cities of Delhi and Bangalore, both of which are rapidly growing and connected to the global economy. Our students also encounter the urban poor and rural farmers who have yet to experience the benefits of progress.
Celebrating 50 years in Ghana
The Congregation of Holy Cross is celebrating 50 years in Ghana. We at Holy Cross College join our brothers and sisters in Ghana in commemorating this monumental and joyous anniversary!
The jubilee was launched December 2nd. Here are some photos from the happy occasion:
We at Holy Cross College are always particularly delighted to see new images of Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson. Many of our students have met with His Eminence when they travelled to Ghana, and he has also travelled to the College to speak at Commencement and receive an honorary doctorate.
Music is a large part of Ghanaian tradition, and here are some songs from the jubilee:
Congregation of Holy Cross District of West Africa Holy Cross Anthem:
Behold the Cross our only hope,
We model our lives on the Holy Family,
We educate hearts and minds,
Men with hope to bring,
Educators in the faith.
O Holy Cross, Spes Unica;
O Holy Cross, Spes Unica;
Work for all proclaim to all
CRUX AVE SPES UNICA