IDIS 175: Who Am I? Helping Professionals Grow Self-Awareness Abroad

Note: This program is currently closed to new applications.

This course will focus on learning and gaining a deeper understanding of oneself within the context of the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.

The course will be especially relevant for those entering the helping professions, in which it is imperative to know oneself in order to care well for others and also to engage in a healthy and sustainable way in God’s Kingdom work. There will be an on-campus group session prior to Christmas break, for the purpose of preparatory learning and to develop group cohesion. The group will then travel to Puerto Rico during the January intensive (Jan 1-11, 2024) with the opportunity to experience both rural and urban settings in order to challenge themselves and develop self-awareness. There will also be an emphasis on exploring internal dissonance within a challenging cross-cultural context. Students will be stretched in order to learn about their own capacity and resilience with the goal of seeing themselves as valuable and having unique gifts, all under the reign of Christ. Students will explore how pursuing a relationship with God cultivates the desire to learn more about others, the world and oneself so they become more aware of His purpose for them in this world and can live wholeheartedly into their calling. The learning will be accomplished through reading, personality assessments (such as IDI, Enneagram, Strengths Finder, DISC, spiritual gifts inventory), personal intercultural development plans, group processing and discussions, oral presentations, journaling and engagement in cross-cultural activities and experiences. The course includes regular excursions to cultural and historic locations, as well as exploring the geography of Puerto Rico (mountains, jungles, beaches, ocean), attending worship services and additional activities that involve interacting with Puerto Ricans and their culture. Spanish language proficiency is not a requirement.

Academics

2 credits

Cost

$2690-$3100 (estimate)

Questions / contact