For Student Leaders

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.

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. You can find updated information about France here.
• 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