Honors Immersion Programs

The Honors Program at Temple University is dedicated to providing students with enriching academic and developmental opportunities necessary to grow as visible and successful individuals. In tandem with this part of our mission, the Honors Program has a strong commitment to enhancing the student experience through a multitude of diverse and transformative experiences. One way we do this is by offering service and cultural immersion opportunities for our students. Temple University’s Honors Immersion Programs (HIP) understand the value of community-based service learning: to engage and learn in an environment that integrates meaningful community service with reflection to enrich the experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.  

Goals of Honors Immersion Programs (HIP)

By participating in a HIP experience, students will:  

  • Cultivate their social, psychological and interpersonal development through service learning and immersion.

  • Develop cross cultural-understanding by exploring similarities and differences in race, class, and environment. 

  • Work collaboratively with diverse and different populations.

  • Gain increased motivation for active civil-engagement.

  • Use increased knowledge of myths and stereotypes to be agents of change in their daily lives. 

Honors Appalachian Experience

This will be a service trip where students are immersed in both culture and service and where they will experience first hand the poverty, life and struggles of the Appalachian population. 

The exchange is enriching for both the students and the communities in which they work.  It is the goal of the program to have students return with a better sense of themselves and the world around them.  The team will build homes, assist with community projects, and take time to reflect and build community. Also, we hope they return more energized to be of service in the communities from which they come.

One of the Honors Appalachian Experience Teams 2010 - Almost Heaven, WV

Why Appalachia?

  • The Appalachian Mountains, specifically southeastern Kentucky and West Virginia, have held a long history of economic struggle. Today nearly fifty-four percent of the households live in poverty. In Central Appalachia alone:

    • 8,500 homes lack adequate kitchens

    • 9,000 homes lack complete plumbing

    • Nearly half of the families have household incomes below $20,000

    • One in four lives below the poverty level--more than 50,000 children, 90,000 adults, & 15,000 elderly (From Appalachian Service Project Online)

    Questions? Want to know more? Contact Amanda Neuber

    Read more about HAE on our Student Blog!