Walking through the Peace Quad, you may notice 12 stones with the “Ideals of a Jesuit Education.” While it’s easy to blindly pass over them, they represent the syllabus of a fulfilling Loyola experience. This August, I came to understand these ideals all in the course of one program: a summer camp for underprivileged children in Belize. This program, along with service trips to Jamaica, is part of a new “Ignacio Volunteers” organization sponsored by the Jesuit Center. Participating as an Ignacio Volunteer helped me understand the meaning of a Jesuit education, providing all 12 of the ideals in one package.

No.1 Pursuit of Excellence: Loyola’s international service trips are founded on the Jesuit concept of magis, always striving for more and never settling for the mundane.

No. 2 Respect for the World, Its History and Mystery: On the Belize trip, I came to respect the entire Mayan civilization after visiting the ancient ruin of Xunantunich.

No. 3 Learning from Experience: The two goals of these programs are to help and to learn. In Belize, I learned about the country’s different peoples and places, about what life is like in a Third World country and about myself.

No. 4 Contemplative Vision Formed by Hope: Teaching was more challenging than I expected, and I couldn’t have overcome my struggles without the support of the volunteers. Talking with them about our service helped me recognize the positive impact we were making on the children’s lives.

No. 5 Development of Personal Potential: Fulfilling the Jesuit mission of “cura personalis,” the Belize program helped me develop as a “whole person.”

No. 6 Critical Thinking and Effective Communication: Loyola’s international service trips are community-based. Living with the same small group for an extended period requires effective communication for everyone to get along well.

No. 7 Appreciation of Things both Great and Small: Traveling to a remote Mayan village, miles away from electricity, gave a beautiful view of the stars at night. But just as beautiful was the joy on the village children’s faces. Being so isolated, the Mayans in this village live the same basic life day after day. Having visitors brightened their day, just as the stars brighten the night sky.

No. 8 Special Concern for the Poor and Oppressed: My experience helped me understand just how similar I am to the people I was working with. Being able to help them was a blessing.

No. 9 Linking Faith with Justice: Faith in a higher power motivates the service on these trips. While faith gives meaning to the action, the mission isn’t to impose faith but to work to promote the dignity that belongs to all people. Knowing I was working “for the greater glory of God” kept me motivated to serve.

No. 10 International and Global Perspective: Doing international service was more mind-opening for me than studying abroad was. The service aspect made it a more immersive experience. It allowed me to work closely with the Belizeans and to develop a connection with them and a sympathy for all the world’s people.

No. 11 Discerning Mindset and No. 12 Finding God in All Things: The group reflections helped us recognize how God was working all around us, even at the most challenging moments.

The Jesuit Center’s new Ignacio Volunteer programs in Belize and Jamaica enhance Loyola’s Jesuit identity. They present opportunities not available at other schools. The international service trips offer the whole enchilada.

Andre Breaux is a mass communication senior from Lafayette, La.