Border Awareness Experience Program

El Paso, TX /Ciudad Juaréz, Mexico

March 1st - 8th, 2008

• Details about the program
• Components of the Experience
• Benefits of the Program
• History of the Annunciation House

Details about the Program

Georgetown's Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service has sponsored the Border Awareness Experience over spring break for the last seven years.  The group consists of eleven students plus two leaders who participated in the trip last year.  Before the trip, participants attend several meetings and discussions to learn more about various aspects about the border community.  The cost of the trip is $250.00 and covers all costs (including airfare) except personal expenses.  Knowledge of Spanish is helpful, but not required.  The application process consists of an interview and essays.

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Components of the Experience

The activities that each group does are different, depending on the availability of certain organizations, time-sensitive issues, etc.  Typically groups do get to do the following:

• Interact with the Border Patrol
• Hear from union/labor organizers
• Socialize with guests and staff at the houses
• Time to explore Juaréz and El Paso
• Be educated about the different aspects of border life (domestic violence, the law regarding seeking asylum, narcotics trafficking, etc.)
• Share most meals with the guests
• Group and self reflection

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Benefits of the Program

• An educational spring-break alternative
• Bonding with fellow participants who share the same interests
• Hear personal stories of the guests of the houses
• Insight into issues of the border community
• Examine the effects of globalization outside of the classroom
• Real perspective of living on the border (lodging, meals, etc.)
• Self reflection
• Opportunity to educate the Georgetown community and promote social justice

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History of the Annunciation House

The idea that became the Annunciation House began in 1976 with a group of young adults who wanted to experience the Gospel more deeply as well as to serve the poor.  In 1978, the group was loaned a vacant building from the Diocese of El Paso.  It was from this modest beginning that El Paso's largest barrio took form. 

For over 25 years, Annunciation House has provided hospitality to immigrants and refugees on the US-Mexican border. The organization has grown from the original house, Annunciation House, to two additional houses and a community center.  75,000 people have passed through these houses over the 25 years.  The houses are funded by unsolicited donations and are staffed entirely by volunteers.   

"The objective of the Border Awareness Experience (BAE) is to facilitate face to face meetings and encounters between BAE participants and people in the border community in order to raise consciousness and help break down barriers and promote social justice. We feel that the US/Mexico border is a unique place where we can better understand our role in an increasingly globalized world." (excerpt from http://www.annunciationhouse.org)

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