What is Community Immersion PDF

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What is Community Immersion?Community Immersion is one important requirement of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) prescribed to students, male or female alike, in private and public higher education institutions and technical-vocational schools.Community immersion is a strategy in communi...

Description

What is Community Immersion? Community Immersion is one important requirement of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) prescribed to students, male or female alike, in private and public higher education institutions and technical-vocational schools. Community immersion is a strategy in community organizing that is sought to imbibe among the NSTP trainees a better understanding and realization of the different community concerns through the exposure on actual life situations specifically in the deprived, depressed and the underprivileged (DDU) communities. The NSTP trainees are expected to initiate community-based interventions in the form of projects and activities meant to address the multi-faceted issues and concerns of the people in the area of service.   

Is a strategy that goes beyond acquainting us with community concerns but make possible our participation in their solution. Is an essential strategy in community organizing work that entails understanding of the different community concerns, process, dynamics and lifestyle through exposure and engaging different activities; Is advised as a strategy in molding students just so that they may be socially aware and responsible to their communities. This manner of transformation is bent on training the youth to become civic consciousness and defense prepared individuals.

Objectives of NSTP Community Immersion? Community immersion allows individuals who are not familiar with the people and communities where they will work immerse themselves in these settings. This gives them the opportunity to reflect on their assumptions, attitudes, and the knowledge base of their profession and to gain cultural competence. Immersion programs relocate individuals into an unfamiliar environment for a period of time for the purpose of providing meaningful learning opportunities. For maximum effect, the individual must be receptive to the social, cultural and/or political circumstances into which they have been placed. Pessar, MD, professor emerita of psychiatry, says the community immersion program is one way of teaching students that developing trust with their patients “requires some understanding of the social, economic, psychological and cultural issues” faced by patients.

What is Community? A common definition of community emerged as a group of people with diverse characteristics who are linked by social ties, share common perspectives, and engage in joint action in geographical locations or settings.

What are the elements of Community Immersion? WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF COMMUNITY?  Thei mpor t antel ement sofCommuni t yar e:

1. Demographics o Characteristics of population; o Tells about the movement of population in the community that you will serve; 2. History o Allows you to identify certain patterns of change and people’s way of adapting these changes that can be useful in plotting your activities. o Events of the past that contributed to the development of the community. 3. Understanding the economy, culture and community structures o An economy consists of the economic systems of a country or other area; the labor, capital, and land resources; and the manufacturing, production, trade, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that area; o Income level of the people.

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Culture (Latin: cultura, lit. "cultivation") ways of living of the people. Structures physical, political and social structures.

Whom do you immerse with in the community? -Parents, youth, constituents, professionals, and potential collaborators of your project/activity WHOM DO YOU IMMERSE WITH IN THE COMMUNITY?

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When one goes to a community, he associates with the people whom he intends to work with a partners or allies in the community. We do not just work for and serve the people but rather we encourage their participation. Confucius’s philosophy of “give man a fish and he will live for a day: teach him how to fish and he will live for a lifetime.” Community immersion is empowering the people towards development of the locality. Is vital to the development of the students’ knowledge, skills, values and attitudes in realizing the penultimate (last but one) ends of NSTP.

Conditions in Community Immersion WHAT CONDITIONS MAY QUALIFY ONE TO GO INTO COMMUITY IMMERSION?

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It is so desired that one fundamental pre-requisite qualification among those who intend or are tasked to undergo community immersion is a full understanding of the concepts and theories behind the dynamics of groups and community. Training-wise, community developer/organizers and social workers are most qualified because it is assumed that they have more or less formal background on carrying out these kinds to organizing work. As for NSTP, students enrolled in NSTP-CWTS/LTS 2 are mandated to undergo community immersion for a period covering a minimum of 54 hours to a maximum of 90 hours a cited from CHED – prescribed Program of Instruction (OPI), 2007 edition.

Personal gains from Community Immersion -Provides an opportunity to apply academic learning to real life events. Builds relationships and 'social connectedness' with peers and adults, and exposes students to diversity and multiculturalism. Improves lifelong communication, interpersonal and critical thinking skills. WHAT PERSONAL GAINS MAY A STUDENT GET FROM COMMUNITY IMMERSION?

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Community Immersion improves the students’ understanding of himself in relation to others; Opportunity for the students to comprehend people’s lives Gain social acceptance derived from the community Enhance experiences in conducting asset mapping Establish rapport and relationship Acquire first-hand experience Chance to learn life skills

Do’s and Don’ts in Community Immersion Do’s Don’ts Before the conduct of Community Immersion 1. Familiarize yourself with the basic information and theories regarding community life. 2. Secure a waiver from the NSTP office.

Never forget to inform and get the consent of your parents/ guardians about the activities lined up.

3. Always inform your faculty-in-charge of your destination, time table and plan of action. 4. Be armed with background information about the area of immersion. 5. Pay courtesy call to community leaders, whether formal or informal. 6. Secure documents pertinent to your stay in the community.

However sometimes, community people could be insistent their hospitality in offering you like food. Whenever possible and not offensive, decline and tell them respectfully rather that you appreciate their hospitality

7. Be ready with personal provisions. During the Actual Community Immersion Period 8. Be courteous to everyone.

Avoid labeling and naming people with politically incorrect terms. Try to be more discreet in your use of words to avoid offending other people.

9. Act properly and discreetly.

Do not show off in terms of dressing up.

10.Wear proper school uniforms and identification cards.

Avoid drawing attention to yourself.

11. Keep your valuables secured.

Be as low profile

12. Always document your visit.

Never bring out your valuable things

13.Always ask permission from concerned people when you have to take photos.

Never promise and commit to a task that is beyond you and your school’s capability

After community immersion 14. Validate and evaluate the programs and activities conducted. 15.Submit final documentation outputs to the NSTP Office for records purposes....