DePaul University Division of Mission and Ministry > Community Service > Alternative Break Service Immersions

Alternative Break Service Immersions

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Each year, DePaul students travel over Winter and Spring Break and join communities in service and social justice work. Service Immersion students dedicate their breaks to service, reflection, simplicity, community, spirituality and social justice. You have the opportunity to serve and build relationships with communities throughout the United States and Latin America that are working for a more just world. To learn more, contact viatrips@depaul.edu. ​The Service Immersion program offers week-long experiences as well as one-day immersions in Chicago.

What would I be doing if I were on a Service Immersion?​

VIA Service Immersions have three main components: direct service and social justice, community building, and reflection. Students spend the majority of the day engaged in service. This could include working at a soup kitchen, hearing the stories of civil rights activists, or learning about the root cause of poverty and oppression. In the evenings, students come together to reflect and make meaning of their experience. Through this reflection, students gain tools to bring change back home and work towards sustainable, lasting change after returning to DePaul. Throughout the week, student live in intentional community with one another, committed to the Vincentian understanding that relationship is central to the pursuit of justice.

What is VIA?

Vincentians in Action (VIA) is the framework with which we approach community service and engagement. You can read more about VIA in the following document:

2022 VIA Overview

In partnership with the Office of Global Engagement, international immersions qualify as an Immersive Global Experience for the Global Fluency Certificate (GFC).

GFC is a new program at DePaul that recognizes students who seek out a global education through their activities at DePaul. There are 3 main requirements:

  1. One year of foreign language
  2. Four Global-Learning tagged classes
  3. An Immersive Global Experience

Students who earn the GFC will receive a physical certificate at graduation, it will show on their transcripts, and demonstrates to potential employers your ability to work in a global environment. Hear what other students had to say about it! To register, click here. For any questions, email globalfluency@depaul.edu.

Consider registering for the Global Fluency Certificate today!

The Division of Mission & Ministry, Witte Travel and our service immersion community partners are carefully monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, and this program is subject to change. Some of the sources we are using include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of State, news and media outlets, DePaul Study Abroad, and conversations with local partner institutions and contacts in our program locations. We take a variety of factors into consideration, with utmost concern for student safety and well-being. If the program is canceled prior to departure, students will be refunded 100% of the program fee.


Upcoming Service Immersion Opportunities

Spring Break 2026

Application Deadline:
Priority Deadline: Friday, December 19, 2026
Final Deadline: Friday, January 23, 2026
Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis, so apply early for priority consideration.

 

Immersion Dates:
March 21-28, 2026

  • Washington, DC: Housing and Food Security)

  • Montgomery, Alabama: Civil Rights

  • White Violet Center for Eco-Justice in Indiana: Sustainability and Environmental Justice

  • 1-day Chicago immersion dates and themes to be announced

 

Cost:

Week-long: $275
1-day: $25
This cost covers all expenses for the immersion, including food, transportation, programming, and accommodations.


*Scholarships are available! The Service Immersion Program is committed to increasing accessibility through this financial support, and all students are encouraged to apply. You must complete the optional last section in the application to apply for a scholarship.

Learn more about each trip and apply!

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