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San Diego/Tijuana

Immigration
see info below

Course Details

DATES
July 13-July 19, 2024

7DAYS

Arrival City
San Diego, CA
TUITION
$2795*

*SEE DETAILS

AVAILABILITY
Available

Alongside our partner, Madres y Familias Deportadas en Acción, you will learn about the history of the U.S.-Mexico Border while exploring the issues of globalization, migration, and human rights across borders.

Program Overview

Alongside our partner, Madres y Familias Deportadas en Acción, you will learn about the history of the U.S.-Mexico Border while exploring the issues of globalization, migration, human rights across borders, race, and racism. This program will allow you to explore the border region from the U.S. side and spend two days in Tijuana working directly with Madres y Familias Deportadas en Acción.

Upon arriving in San Diego, you will cross the border into Tijuana and support the work of Madres y Familias Deportadas en Acción as they help people who have been recently deported or are seeking asylum. While in Tijuana, you will stay at the facilities of Madres y Familias Deportadas en Acción, which is just across the border from San Diego. In Tijuana, you will also work directly with other non-profit organizations supporting migrants, asylum seekers, and the recently deported. 

After two days in Tijuana, you will return to San Diego, where you will explore Old Town and Chicano as you learn about the rich multicultural history of the area alongside border historians. You will also drive to the small California town of Jacumba to directly experience the harsh desert landscape migrants confront when attempting to cross the border.  In addition, you will also have the opportunity to meet with a Border Patrol agent and hear their perspective on the U.S.-Mexico Border while touring the border wall from the U.S. side of the border. Throughout the program, you will also hear the personal stories of activists, historians, deportees, families separated by the border, and DACA recipients.

*Please note that programs are subject to change based on the health and safety of participants and our partners.

Program Highlights

Learn about the history of the border from historians and activists while visiting Old Town and Chicano Park.

Work with nonprofit organizations in Tijuana, Mexico supporting migrants, asylum seekers, and the recently deported.

Do a daytime hike of the border wall and learn about the border from the perspective of the U.S. Border Patrol

Course Elements

1 is the least rigorous, 5 is the most rigorous

5
LEARNING SERVICE
You will learn from historians and border activists, as a way of understanding the context, issues, and people of the U.S.-Mexico border region.
5
CURRICULUM
Prior to your travels, you will complete an online curriculum to gain background knowledge for your experience. While traveling, you will learn through engaging articles, cultural experiences, and group reflections.
2
TREKKING
Throughout your time in San Diego and Tijuana, you will explore various sites in the area on foot. You will also do a few short hikes in the desert while in Jacumba.
2
LIVING CONDITIONS
In San Diego, you will be staying at a local hostel, where you will be in a shared room with only your group members. In Tijuana, you will be sleeping on an air mattress in the facilities of Madres y Familias Deportadas en Acción with only your group members.
3
ON THE MOVE
You will visit important local sites in San Diego, Tijuana, and Jacumba on foot, by trolley, and by van.
3
REMOTENESS
You will explore different sites in the San Diego metropolitan area in addition to an overnight in Jacumba Springs and Tijuana.

Itinerary

1

Arrive in San Diego by 2 PM. Cross the border into Tijuana and stay at the facilities of Madres y Familias Deportadas.

2

Begin group orientation in Tijuana. Meet with the founders of Madres y Familias Deportadas and learn about their work. Support the work of local nonprofits in Tijuana. Evening at the facilities of Madres y Familias Deportadas.

3

Morning working with Madres y Familias Deportadas. Cross the border back into San Diego in the afternoon. Evening at San Diego hostel.

4

Tour Old Town and Chicano Park and learn how they relate to the story of the borderlands. Learn about border issues from historians and activists. Evening at San Diego hostel.

5

Tour of the U.S-Mexico Border from the U.S. side with a Border Patrol agent. Evening at San Diego hostel.

6

Drive to Jacumba Springs—daytime hike along the border. Spend the night in Jacumba Springs at a local church that hosts student groups.

7

Drive back to San DiegoJacumba Springs. Return flight home after 2 PM.

NOTE

Itineraries are subject to change based on the health and safety of participants and our partners.

San Diego/Tijuana : In Three Phases

1

PRE-COURSE CURRICULUM

Prior to your departure, you will be guided by your course instructors through a series of interactive, online lessons designed to help you engage with other members of your group while gaining important context for your experience.

2

FIELD STUDY

The majority of the days at each site are spent learning from our local partners and serving alongside them shoulder-to-shoulder. You will learn through service and experiences designed to help you understand the local context, culture, and history.

3

LIFELONG NETWORK

Ethical leadership is a lifelong journey. After your experience, you will become a part of the Shoulder-to-Shoulder network. This network of past alumni and partners is designed to inspire and support your journey in ethical leadership.

Travel Journal

During the travel phase of each SStS course, you will spend time reflecting and processing your experience. The posts below are from past programs.

Jacumba Springs

Today was one of the most memorable days that I’ve experienced so far on our trip. We walked along the border in the desert. There, we saw a couple of border patrol officers, and deep down, I had fear of them coming up to us and ending our journey. With each step we t...

Read More

Chicano Park

Life sprang onto the concrete jungle. Vibrant colors entangled the concrete pillars that supported the frantic highway above us. A noble Aztec adorned with gold armor was immortalized on one pillar while Chicano women held the clouds up on another. On every pillar was...

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Friendship Park

Hi all, today we embarked on an expedition to explore the border wall as close as we could, sometimes getting within 15 feet of the fence itself. On our trek towards Friendship Par...

Read More

Important Details

TUITION*

Tuition (students from partner schools): $2699
Tuition (students from non-partner schools):$2799

*Students attending a partner school receive a tuition discount. Click HERE to see partner schools. Please note that tuition does not include airfare.

AIRFARE

Students are responsible for booking their own flights to meet the group in San Diego. Once enrolled our admissions team will assist you in choosing the correct arrival and departure times.

FINANCIAL AID

SStS is in search of curious, compassionate, globally-minded students from all backgrounds. We will do all that we can financially to support students who require assistance. If you would like to be considered for financial assistance, please indicate this on the application.  Resources are limited and tend to be less than 50% of tuition.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

For a full description of our Terms and Conditions please CLICK HERE.

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