Service Trips Bring Gonzaga to Others

By: Thomas Martino ‘24 Contributor Oak Flat Run,

In the spring and summer, Gonzaga students travel to different locations in the country or abroad and stay with communities in need that they serve. They work alongside their Gonzaga brothers and locals in a variety of different activities like building homes, working on farms, assisting with social services, home improvement, addressing poverty and hunger, helping the formerly incarcerated, serving migrants, and other various tasks depending on the location. Underclassmen have the opportunity to take part in immersion trips like the home improvement and community outreach Emmitsburg, Maryland and the McKenna Center Immersion experience here on Gonzaga’s campus at 19 Eye Street, NW. Currently, juniors have the opportunity of traveling to the US/Mexico border, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Apopka Florida, Camden New Jersey, Salem West Virginia, or abroad to Quito, Ecuador, or Belize.

So why go on an immersion trip? Immersion trips are special because they offer a great opportunity for students to grow and better themselves while they help improve the lives of others. As Gonzaga men, we challenge ourselves to love, be men of faith, commit to act in service to the greater good of society, and be open to growth. The immersion trip can help us embody these traits which we aspire to live by and help us fulfill the duty that we proclaim to pursue. We are proud of our mission to be men for others. We can live up to this through our actions, and immersion trips allow us to serve as St. Ignatius instructed; “Love ought to show itself in deeds more than words.” In doing these acts of service, we gain appreciation. Immersion trips often mean sacrificing the luxuries of home. This allows us to put ourselves in others’ shoes with awareness and personal experience. Living simply, working hard, learning, and doing good work with your brothers allows you to deepen the brotherhood and practice teamwork as you make the world a better place. The communities in which you will serve may be very different from home with a standard of living that you are likely not accustomed to. This allows you to get out of the bubble, meet new people, and gain perspective. Finally, you can personally contribute to the mission of Gonzaga, as your efforts put Gonzaga at the forefront of these service initiatives nationally and worldwide.

Where am I going, and what do I hope to gain from my experience? I am going to Belize which is on the east coast of Central America. I can not wait to experience the local culture as well as personally interact with the local students, families, and classmates as we work. I am excited to get to know some of the guys in my group whom I do not know well. Most, I am excited to experience personally how it is to live as the less fortunate do to gain exposure outside my comfort zone. My hope is that maybe I can appreciate some of the things we take for granted. Contact Campus Ministry with any questions regarding service or immersion trips.

By: Brendan Rohde ‘24 Contributor

What is Sportswashing?

Sportswashing is a term used to describe the practice of individuals, groups, corporations, or governments using sports to improve reputations tarnished by wrongdoing. Examples of it can vary through forms of propaganda; sportswashing can be accomplished through hosting sporting events, purchasing or sponsoring sporting teams, or participating in a sport. It is a phenomenon that has made its way into the spotlight recently; however, it has been with us since the dawn of international sports.