On Tuesday, September 1st, we formally launched our Arrupe Initiatives programs in a small virtual get together, where students, alumni, faculty, and staff joined in to celebrate the news and to share their excitement for a new semester.

It is no exaggeration to say this semester is unlike any other, and at Arrupe Initiatives we wanted to create a space to reflect on our “new reality”, on what it means for us, as an office, and as part of the USF collective, and most importantly to have a space to have a conversation with our community about our role to change the world from here.

“I feel like today we are seeing the world through a screen, and I am looking for ways to connect without technology, without a screen that makes it alienating in a way,” said Khundmeer, a Resident Minister, a sentiment that was echoed by many of the participants and who see in Arrupe Initiatives a way to engage in a meaningful way.

John Zarobell, Department Chair of International Studies at USFCA, reflected on the challenges of teaching in a virtual way, “there is a sense of loss of community, there are things you can replace with technology, but others that you can’t, and physical contact and community are one of them.” Arrupe Initiatives seek to create such a community, bridging the divide between the screens and the outside world, and bringing the world to USF.

“There is just so much that can be done, we tend to get trapped in a “me” mentality, but we have to realize that we are all in this together, we can adapt and remember that we share this experience” added Karli Williams, a returning sophomore and past immersion participant.

Arrupe Initiatives will carry on the work of engaging students with our global community partners, with Ignatian formation and Arrupe Immersion experiences as pillars of our work. In addition, the Arrupe Initiatives will offer new programs and opportunities for the USF community and Jesuit Institutions of Higher Education to engage in different ways: the Arrupe Human Rights Observatory, the Arrupe Fellowship, the Arrupe Talks, and finally, the Ignatian Leaders Engaging in Action and Discernment (I-LEAD) program.