I can say that this program has impacted my life more than anything else that I have ever experienced before! With Somos Hermanos, I was able to learn about the many social justice issues present within a population outside of my own. My eyes were opened to a world that was unfamiliar to me which constantly challenged the perspectives that I had created and knowledge that I had originally come in with.
- Krista Lofton, MPH, USC, Spring 2010 participant
The total cost of the six-month Student Immersion Program is $7,300. This includes the following:
- One-on-one language courses
- Housing with a local family
- 3 meals a day, 7 days a week
- In-country transportation
- All group activities and field trips
- Chiapas and El Salvador trips (including transportation)
- International health insurance
- Program-related expenses
This does NOT include:
- Travel to or from Guatemala
- Vaccinations prior to departure
- Passport application fee
- Dining out on your free time
- Alcoholic beverages
- Individual travel during free weekends
- Costs during the free week
- Phone calls or internet use
- Any personal, non-program-related costs
Scholarships
The Student Immersion Program has a small fund for scholarships which are awarded on the basis of financial need. You must fill out a separate application (available on the application page) to be eligible for a scholarship. Please see the application for more information.
We also encourage all students to seek outside scholarships on an individual level. We can send you some links to get you started, and we also recommend that you try to find local scholarships, as this will usually be your best bet for receiving money.
We encourage all students to apply to our program, regardless of economic deterrents, as we feel strongly that financial status should NOT determine the availability of opportunities like this.
Refund Policy
Participants accepted into the program are required to make a total of three payments to the “USC Somos Hermanos SIP”: $750; $3,000; and $3,550.
The $750 deposit is 100% non-refundable, no exceptions.
If a participant drops out of the “USC Somos Hermanos SIP” after paying the second payment of $3,000; “USC Somos Hermanos SIP” will ONLY refund the $3,000 if a replacement participant is found to fill their spot. If NO replacement participant is found the money will NOT be refunded.
If a participant drops out of the “USC Somos Hermanos SIP” after the third and final payment of $3,550; “USC Somos Hermanos SIP” will ONLY refund half of the total $7,300 ($3,650) paid to the “USC Somos Hermanos SIP” EVEN IF a replacement participant is found.