About the "Hope Blooms" Program

Mission | Overview | History | Location | Timeline | Credits & Fees
Pre-Reqs & Participant Info | Application Process | A More In-Depth Look

"(In Mexico) my abilities, thoughts and actions were stretched beyond what I thought (was possible)... It was an enlightening experience." - Rachel Streelman ('06)

"(In Mexico) I discovered my love for adventure and my desire to serve those in need." - Tyler Osburn ('07)

"I know now that I just want to try different things (and try) working different places. There is so much out there to discover..." - Elizabeth Shuter ('06)

"On this trip, I began to be exposed to some of the world's deepest needs that I could possibly help with, which coincided with my joys in life. Realizing... that I could make a difference in someone's life in a place other than the United States was enlightening to me." - Rachel Bakken ('09)

"(The program) has shown (me) the benefits of being able to speak Spanish. I’d like to continue somehow through volunteer work or a career opportunity." - Kye Samuelson ('06)

“All the experiences I had (in Mexico) made me realize where I want my life to go in the next few years. I have a heart to serve and travel and help the indigenous people of the world. That is exactly what I plan on doing.” - Rachel Streelman ('06)

"In Mexico, I saw many people living out their vocational dreams which in turn made me look at my own vocation. I still do not know exactly what my calling may be in the future, but I found certain personal characteristics that will no doubt be a large part of my vocational plans." - Matt Moorehead ('07)

The “Hope Blooms” program takes students beyond the limitations of traditional study abroad programs and short-term volunteer trips, offering a full cross-cultural service-learning experience through the combination of four critical components: internships; home stays with Mexican host families; academic coursework; and group excursions.

Please see below for basic information on “Hope Blooms in Puerto Escondido”…

• Mission
• Overview
• History
• Location
• Timeline
• Credits & Fees
• Pre-Reqs & Participant Info
• Application Process

For a more in-depth look at what makes this program unique, please click on the following links...

• What do students get out of the "Hope Blooms" program?
• What sets this opportunity apart from other study abroad programs and volunteer trips?
• How can "Hope Blooms" internships help students explore vocation?

MISSION
"Hope Blooms" Mission Statement: Through this international internship program, Hope College seeks to provide students with opportunities for personal and professional development in a challenging, international
environment, while serving the community by uniting with local efforts to develop the area of Puerto Escondido.

OVERVIEW
Through the “Hope Blooms” international internship program, students spend May and June terms living and working in southern Mexico. The program includes four critical components:

1. Internships – Students earn four credits by serving as interns within local civil and mission organizations working to better the lives of the local people.

 

2. Home Stays with Mexican host families – Students are able to fully experience the local culture and community by living with Mexican host families.

 

3. Academic Coursework – Students prepare for the trip by attending a two-credit Spring Semester course prior, and also participate in a four-credit seminar held in Mexico. Through the academic aspect of the program, students learn about personal and global issues such as vocation, social entrepreneurship, development, and cross-cultural conflict.

 

4. Group Activities & Excursions – A variety of group activities and excursions are arranged throughout the trip to enable students to explore Mexico’s cultural, historical, and natural treasures, as well as its social and economic challenges.

HISTORY
Hope College first connected with Puerto Escondido through Spring Break service trips led by Zachary Barricklow ('05) and Professor Robin Klay. Click on "Memories" to learn about the development of the program and the 2006 pilot trip, and to read stories and testimonies from past participants.

LOCATION
The program is based in Puerto Escondido, a small town of located on the beautiful Pacific Coast of Southern Mexico in the state of Oaxaca. Originally a fishing village, Puerto is known for its gorgeous beaches and fantastic waves, and is a popular site for international surfing competitions. Click on "Accomodations" to learn more about activities and attractions in the Puerto Escondido area.

Oaxaca, one of Mexico’s most economically underdeveloped states, is rich in culture, history, and natural beauty, and is world-renown for its delicious cuisine and talented artisans. Click on "Activities & Excursions" to learn more about the amazing experiences that Oaxaca has to offer.

Spring Semester preparatory class = 2 credits
Internships = 4 credits
Academic Seminar in Mexico = 4 credits (Senior Seminar or other)

Program fees for the eight-week trip are expected to total approximately $2,775* excluding tuition and round trip airfare (expected to be between $500 and $600). This includes:

Transportation to/from airports
Home stays (familes are paid for meals)
Group activities including the trip to Oaxaca City
Transportation allowance for travel to work and class

*Estimate based on historical figures.

Please note that no Hope overseas program beats "Hope Blooms" in terms of affordability. Several summer programs (such as those held in Japan, London, Cuernavaca, and Queretaro) cost between $2,300 and $3,000 PLUS airfare and are only three to four weeks long, as opposed to eight weeks. The seven-week Vienna program costs $5,600 plus $1,400 for airfare.

Please do not hesitate to contact Program Director Robin Klay with any questions concerning credits and/or fees.

PRE-REQUISITES
Students of all class-levels and all majors who have met the minimum language requirment of Spanish competency equal to at least four semesters of college-level study are eligible to apply for the "Hope Blooms" program. Internships are available in a wide variety of fields. Visit the "Current Trip Updates" page to view this year's opportunities.

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
The “Hope Blooms” experience is perfect for any students interested in challenging themselves through cultural immersion, using their knowledge and abilities to serve the poor, achieving Spanish fluency, and gaining a broader perspective on global issues.

The program is especially advantageous for students considering possible career opportunities involving development, international business, mission work, immigration, teaching English as a Second Language, etc.

The 2007 Application deadline is Friday, October 20th, 2006.

After applications are received, interviews are scheduled with each applicants. Those accepted will be notified in time to register for the Spring Semester preparation course.

Visit the "Current Trip Updates" page to view announcements and 2007 internship opportunities.

What do students get out of the "Hope Blooms" program?

In addition to academic and internship credits, the program offers students the chance to...

Gain international “real world” work experience to impressive future pontential employers and see if working overseas is really for them.

Get an inside look at the challenges of development and cross-cultural conflict, learning from those who are “on the ground” by hearing presentations from local missionaries and activists and developing relationships with the people their programs are meant to help.

 

Use their academic knowledge and professional skills to help people in need by assisting partner organizations in improving and expanding their efforts to better the lives of the local people.

Become fully immersed in another culture in every facet of life by working in a local organization, living with a Mexican host family, and experiencing community life. 

Explore international career opportunities as they are exposed to many different types of civil and mission organizations. Through site visits and guest speaker engagements, students are able to network with professionals and learn about front-line development efforts in a wide variety of areas.

Achieve Spanish fluency by speaking Spanish at work, at home, and in the community throughout the entire two-month trip.

Set themselves apart from other job candidates by: demonstrating self-motivation and the ability to handle challenges; adding impressive work samples to their professional porfolios; honing essential skills (such as the communication skills needed to articulate the value of their experiences to a potnential employer).

What makes this program unique?

Partnerships with established, local organizations. Instead of trying to start new initiatives from scratch, students work alongside established organizations. In this way, they are able to have the most impact possible during their two-month stay in Mexico, while also getting a chance to learn from experienced missionaries and activists.

Spanish requirements. Meeting the minimum pre-requisite of at least four semesters of Spanish study enables students to handle the independence and responsibility necessary for full cultural immersion and effective internship work.

Full cultural immersion. The multi-demensional quality of "Hope Blooms" goes beyond traditional study abroad programs by immersing students in all facets of Mexican life - work, home, and community - while also offering a challenging academic component.

Program length and Spring semester preparation. While short-term international mission trips can be wonderful experiences, they offer participants only a tiny glimpse of local culture, needs, and challenges, while "Hope Blooms" offers two months of complete immersion in language and culture. Also, Spring semester preparation can greatly enhance their experience in Mexico and enable them them to make the most effective use of their time as interns. Partner organizations are especially enthusiastic about this aspect of the program, as they admit that short-term volunteers often require ample time and resources while making a very limited practical impact. They are excited to have enough time to truly utilize interns and to build ongoing relationships with Hope College.

How can "Hope Blooms" internships help students explore vocation?

Internships, in general, give students the chance to do a career "test run" to see if the industry, professional environment, and day-to-day routine is really for them. In Puerto, students are also able to see how their professional skills could be used to serve those less fortunate, opening their eyes to opportunities they may never have considered before. They explore ideas of vocation on a global level (how to meet the world's greatest needs) and a personal level (finding their life paths), on an indivdual level (through internships and writing) and as a group (through class discussions).