FAQs - Immersions
1. What are Immersions?
2. What happens on an Immersion?
3. How do I apply?
4. What is the process?
5. What are the price categories?
6. Can I get a subsidy?
7. Can I join from interstate or overseas?
8. If I come from a destination other than Perth, how much does it cost?
9. Can I come for only part of the trip?
10.How many people can come on an Immersion?
11. What ages can join?
12. When is the closing date?
The ERISJ Immersions provide a brief period of immersion (2 - 3 weeks) in another place and culture, typically among folks who are materially poor and generally 'doing it tough'. An Immersion's purpose is to build relationships, and to 'walk a mile in my shoes'. Participants often report immensely enriching and life-altering experiences. Immersions use experiential learning principles, based on involvement in an activity, reflection on that, and then using that learning in other activities. The ultimate other activity that we hope an Immersion might generate is a lifelong commitment to social justice. Immersions redefine travel within a social justice, human rights and ecological framework. They are a unique way of discovering people, places, and cultures that focus on the most significant justice issues of our time while managing the cultural impact of foreigners.
2. What happens on an Immersion?
Each Immersion is different, but all immersions give participants a unique and relationship-based opportunity to engage with the local people and culture. This generally happens in the context of visiting and possibly living with a community or community-based organisation. Participants also visit cultural/religious and historic sites, and visit a range of agencies and NGO's working with the key social justice issues. Within each country, the immersion will spend time in one or two key locations, and also spend time travelling, giving the group an opportunity to see different aspects of the landscape and culture.
Applications are available by phoning our office on 9432 2400 or by clicking the following link: http://erisj.org.au/register. You do not need to speak to our Immersion Coordinator before sending in an application, though an interview will be required before you are accepted.
The application form is the first step - see link above. Please return this to our office, following which our Immersions Coordinator, Khristo Newall will arrange an interview with you. This is preferably in person, however for interstate or overseas applicants, this can be done by phone. Once you have been accepted, a deposit of 10% is needed to confirm your place, with the balance required one month before travel. Registrations operate on a 'first-come, first-served'. Vacancies close once an Immersion is full, or a fortnight before departure (for overseas travel).
5. What are the price categories?
Unwaged, Waged and Employer Sponsored. Unwaged is for unemployed, students or other concessions. Waged applies to full-time wage earners, while the Employer Sponsored rate is for where an organisation is paying for the participant.
Due to our own funding constraints, we cannot offer subsidies, however we encourage those in need of financial help to look independently at fundraising possibilities.
7. Can I join from interstate or overseas?
Yes. These immersions are available to all adults. Your original location will simply mean working with the Immersion Coordinator to plan your travel to meet the rest of the group.
8. If I come from a destination other than Perth, how much does it cost?
These prices will obviously vary, but please liaise with the Immersions Coordinator.
9. Can I come for only part of the trip?
This is generally not accepted, though rare exceptions have been made. Participants coming for only part of the time obviously miss out themselves but also disrupt the group process and potentially our hosts.
10.How many people can come on an Immersion?
The ideal group size is between 6 and 10, though the groups will occasionally be slightly larger.
As there are a number of immersion-type programs offered to various high school ages, these immersions are specifically for adults. If you are over 18 at the commencement of the Immersion, they are open to you. Beyond that, age is no barrier, provided you are in good health and able to undertake some fairly rough travel in th edeveloping world.
We reserve the right to close the immersion whenever we have a reasonable group size confirmed - this may vary depending on the trip, with 6 - 10 being ideal. Technically while the closing date is one month prior to each Immersion, we will accept late applications if there is room on the trip and the logistics enable your inclusion. If in doubt, please ask!
The above answers are a guide only, though hopefully help with some obvious questions. Each application is taken on it's merits though, so please get in touch if you are keen to join an upcoming immersion, or have other queries.
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