DePaul University Division of Mission and Ministry > Programming & Services > Vincentian Heritage Tours > For Student Leaders

For Student Leaders

Student tour at the Louvre

“In the footsteps of Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac and the Vincentian family.”


At this time, the Student Leader Vincentian Heritage Tour is on hold due to budget constraints. There will be no tour offered during Spring 2024. We encourage you to engage with Meet Me at the Mission programming to earn your certificate and Vincentian leader graduation cord.

The Division of Mission and Ministry offers regular opportunities for members of the university community to deepen their understanding of the university's patron, by participating in guided Vincentian Heritage study tours to locations in Paris and throughout France associated with the life and works of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and other Vincentian family figures.

Student Leadership tours take place regularly during Spring Break. Because of the limited time frame the tour is limited to Vincentian sites in Paris and its surroundings. Participation in the tours is open, on a competitive basis, to all students who have participated in the Meet Me at the Mission: Vincentian Heritage Initiative and have a demonstrated interest in the Vincentian heritage, mission, and values of the university and have a record of Vincentian service.

Applicants must have earned at least 3 pillars of the Meet Me at the Mission initiative either through workshops in their leadership trainings or by coming to Meet Me at the Mission quarterly events. Applicants must provide a personal statement as to how they envision this trip forming their personal leadership and service ethics in the Vincentian tradition. They also must provide a letter of recommendation from a DePaul faculty/and or staff member.

Students chosen to participate in this opportunity are required to register in Winter Quarter 2023 for PAX 250: Transformative Models of Vincentian Leadership. This 2-credit class will include synchronous and asynchronous learning to prepare for the VHT experience.

Students will delve into our rich Vincentian tradition by learning about a key group of founding Vincentian family members: Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, Frederic Ozanam, and Rosalie Rendu. Students will connect the wisdom from these Vincentian leaders to their reading of the current signs of the times and their own Vincentian leadership experiences at DePaul. A scholarship is given to cover the cost of the course.

The Division of Mission and Ministry subsidizes most of the costs of the trip. Each student participant pays $800.00. No student is turned away because of inability to pay.

Students who participate in the VHT complete the Global Experience requirement of the Global Fluency Certificate. For more information about the GFC program go here.

Demonstrate Impact & Mission Integration

Vincentian Heritage Tour student leader participants become a part of the Vinny Squad – the Meet Me at the Mission: Vincentian Heritage Initiative leadership team. Upon return, each trip participant will be required to demonstrate the impact the trip has had on their leadership journey as a member of DePaul’s Vincentian Community. This can take various forms which will be discussed at the information sessions and during the pre-trip meetings once accepted into the program.

After the Vincentian Heritage Experience students are required to register for PAX 250: Living the Vincentian Legacy of Social Change 2-credit class Spring 2023. This class will focus on integrating what was learned from the on the ground VHT experience into your leadership. It will include creating a project/event that will be shared with the broader DePaul community along with writing your own Vincentian leadership narrative.  VHT student leaders also become a part of the Vinny Squad to assist with facilitating Meet Me at the Mission workshops.

Note: This program is subject to change due to COVID-19. The safety and well-being of our students is of utmost concern, and we are monitoring the pandemic carefully. If the program is cancelled prior to departure, students will receive a full refund of their program fee. In alignment with DePaul's on-campus vaccine requirement, Witte Travel's guidelines, and community partner needs, VHT students must be fully vaccinated and boosted to participate in the program.

Applications for the 2023 Vincentian Heritage Tour to France March 17 – 26 are due October 7, 2022  by 5 p.m.  Late applications will not be considered. Apply through the Meet Me at the Mission page on DeHub here:

Vincentian Heritage Student Leadership Tour to Paris Application

Student leaders are required to submit the following as part of their on-line application:

  • One recommendation from DePaul faculty or staff, using the Vincentian Heritage Student Leadership Tour Recommendation Form found on the Meet Me at the Mission page on DeHub.  It is student’s responsibility to follow up with the reference to be sure they submit the form by October 7, 2022 at 5p.m.
  • A three-page, thoughtful, well-prepared essay stating your perspectives on the relationship between leadership and service. Be sure to include concretely how you put Vincentian values into action in your leadership journey. Include any Vincentian wisdom you have learned through participation in Meet Me at the Mission events and leadership trainings.
  • A summary of your leadership and Vincentian service activities inside and outside of the university. Please follow the format provided in DeHub.

For questions or more information contact Joyana Dvorak at jjacoby5@depaul.edu or 773.325.7569

Student leaders accepted to participate in the tour will become a part of the Vinny Squad, the Meet Me at the Mission leadership team. As Vincentian Heritage Tour participants, students must commit to the following:

  • Participate in reflection and journaling before, during, and after the experience.

Pre-Departure:

  • Register for Preparatory 2-credit Course  PAX 250: Transformative Models of Vincentian Leadership Winter 2023, Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:30, and complete all assignments and readings.
  • Respond to any logistical emails promptly within 48 hours. Failure to do so could result in dismissal from the tour.
  • Possess a valid passport by January 11, 2023 that will remain valid beyond September 26, 2023
  • Contribute $800 to support the cost of the VHT no later than Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
  • Attend mandatory pre-departure logistical/community building meetings during Winter Quarter. Be punctual to these preparation and reflection meetings and remain in attendance until the meeting is adjourned. Please note some logistical meetings will happen during scheduled class time.
    • Friday, January 20 10:00am – 2:00pm, Student Center 314A – VHT Community Building Retreat
    • Sunday, February 19, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, Zoom VHT Reunion Dinner
  • Attend one group check in meeting to plan Meet Me at the Mission events during the week of February 10
  • Begin to create your Vincentian Story and develop a Meet Me at the Mission event.
  • Meet one-on-one with at least 2 fellow VHT participants during Winter Quarter.
  • Participate in on-going reflection and journaling before, during, and after the experience.
  • Submit information for social media VHT Student Spotlight and/or support a Meet Me at the Mission social media takeover.

During

  • Be punctual, adhere to tour schedule, and fully participate in all scheduled events.
  • Respect the leadership and authority of the faculty, staff mentors and community partners.
  • Participate in reflections, both formal and informal, during the experience.
  • No photos taken on trip without permission of the people in the photo.
  • No posting photos on social media without permission. [A group photo will be taken to be posted by DMM].
  • Student behavior while participating in this tour is governed by the DePaul University Code of Student Conduct. Failure to adhere to proper conduct will result in dismissal from the tour and a final grade of “F” in the course. Dismissal will require student to reimburse the university for all costs of the tour and travel.  

After Tour:

  • Register for PAX 250: Living the Vincentian Legacy of Social Change 2-credit class Spring 2023. This class will focus on integrating what was learned from the on the ground VHT experience into your leadership. It will include creating a project/event that will be shared with the broader DePaul community along with writing your own Vincentian leadership narrative.
  • Complete on-line evaluation by April 14, 2023.
  • Attend ONE mandatory post-VHT community gathering to reflect on the experience
    • Friday, April 21, 2023 10:00am - 2:30pm Student Center 325
  • Finish Meet Me at the Mission Capstone Reflection. *This includes developing your Vincentian story on Medium blog or submitting a video
  • Attend Year End Meet Me at the Mission Celebration Wednesday May 24, 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Student Center 314A
  • Plan and facilitate a minimum of one Meet Me at the Mission workshop tailored to the communities you serve and lead.
    *This can be during Winter or Spring quarter with the support of Mission and Ministry staff and up to two other VHT students if desired.
  • Assist in any Heritage Day events on an as needed basis, such as Vinny Fest. 
  • Be an active participant in Vinny Squad to outreach and assist in any Meet Me at the Mission customized workshops.
  • Commit to on-going promotion of the Meet Me at the Mission events through social media and personal invitation.

Failure to complete any of the above requirements by the due dates may result in having to pay the full cost of the tour.

Friday, October 7, 2022 5PM

Application Deadline on DeHub

Friday, November 11 5PM

Deadline for all Witte Travel forms & DeHub forms

Wednesday, January 11 5PM

Color copy of Passport & Final $800 payment due

Friday, January 20 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Student Center 314A

VHT Community Building Retreat

Week of February 10 before or after class
Locations and time TBA

Group check in meeting with Joyana to follow up on Meet Me at the Mission event action plans

Sunday, February 19 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Zoom

Dinner with current & past VHT student leaders

Friday, March 3

Meet Me at the Mission Event Proposal due on DeHub

January 20 – March 27

1:1 community building meetings with fellow VHT participants

March 17-26, 2023

VHT Paris, France

Friday, April 14

Medium reflection draft & On-line evaluations due

Friday, April 21 10:00 AM -- 2:30 PM
Student Center 325

Post- VHT Reflection & Integration Gathering

Monday, May 24 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Student Centers 325

VHT students facilitate Meet Me at the Mission Year End Celebration

Spring Quarter – by June 7, 2023

VHT students facilitate Meet Me at the Mission events and presentations & final blog or video reflection due.

The Division of Mission & Ministry, Witte Travel and our VHT 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.
As you consider participating in the Vincentian Heritage Tour, be sure to read the following Student Expectations During Covid-19. This document includes expectations for students before, during, and after their program. It will continue to be updated to respond to the changes in the Covid-19 pandemic. Review the expectations and share any questions or concerns with Joyana Dvorak. You will need to agree to these expectations when you submit your application.
Pre-departure:

  • Review and complete all health and safety materials prior to departure, including any orientations, online modules, or other materials required by the university.
  • DePaul’s on-campus student COVID-19 vaccination and booster requirements includes the VHT. Get vaccinated and boosted, and upload your proof of vaccination as you would if planning to attend classes on campus. Be aware that some of the sites we visit will require you to show your vaccination card.
  • Masks are currently required during all indoor program activities, so bring enough KN95/N95 masks for yourself.  Bright other COVID safety items (self-tests, hand sanitizer, etc.) for yourself to last for the duration of the program.
  • Understand the current situation in your program destination, including any entry requirements and local rules and/or restrictions that must be followed upon arrival.
  • Follow the current U.S., country-specific, and DePaul guidelines regarding mandatory testing before your outbound and return flights. Even if a COVID test is not required by your destination, DePaul will be asking all program participants to self-test in Chicago before departure. You may be required to provide a negative COVID test within 72 hours of departure.
  • If you become sick or have a last-minute medical situation that might prohibit you from traveling, contact Mission & Ministry immediately.

During the trip:

  • Be responsible about wearing a mask, washing your hands, proper social distancing, and any additional established health/safety requirements through the entirety of the program—during both structured group activities and independent/free time.
  • Follow all health-related directives from Mission & Ministry, Witte Travel, local authorities, community partners, and DePaul University. Note: If local guidelines differ from DePaul guidelines, Mission & Ministry will communicate expectations for group procedures and behavior.
  • If you show symptoms of COVID-19 or have been informed that you were in close contact with another person who was medically diagnosed or tested positive for COVID-19, you should get tested in the appropriate time frame, depending on when you were exposed. If you test positive for COVID-19, you must isolate and follow all emergency health and safety procedures as outlined by Mission & Ministry, local authorities, community partners and DePaul University.
    • Costs related to a mandatory quarantine during the VHT will be covered by Mission & Ministry.
    • If a mandatory isolation extends past the end of the program, Mission & Ministry will work with you to provide as much financial support as possible, given the situation. Costs should be covered by your CISI international travel health and accident insurance.
    • Any medical costs, including hospitalization, should be covered by your CISI international travel health and accident insurance.
  • Under the CISI policy, any treatment for COVID-19 is covered as other illnesses, including testing, doctor visits, and hospitalizations. CISI will not cover testing that has not been recommended by a health professional (e.g. for peace of mind or to reduce the mandatory quarantine period). Visit CISI's COVID-19 FAQs to understand your coverage for COVID-19 related medical expenses. CISI also provides remote telehealth services and an emergency mental health crisis intervention service.
  • Work together with everyone in the group to hold each other accountable for following all health and safety precautions. Inform Mission & Ministry immediately if you have any concerns about anyone in the group who is not taking necessary health/safety precautions or is not reporting issues that may have arisen.
  • Be flexible and adaptable throughout the program, as planned activities may need to change with little notice.

Post-program

  • Follow all federal and local guidelines around entry to the U.S. and other requirements upon arrival. Follow all DePaul guidelines if planning to return to campus.
  • If you need to remain in your program destination due to a quarantine or travel restriction, Mission & Ministry and Witte Travel will work together with you to make sure you have an emergency plan in place to meet quarantine requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, housing, access to food and supplies, medical support, and a return flight or plan to secure a return flight when possible. Mission & Ministry will leverage any local resources/partners to assist with this or investigate other ways to provide support