NA NEWS
R E F L E CT I N G O N 1 5 YE A R S O F
Immersion Experiences By María Teresa McNeilly-Anta ’93, Director of Immersion Experiences
In
February 2009, I embraced a new role as NA’s first Director of Immersion Experiences. My charge, part of NA’s 2007 – 2012 Strategic Plan to foster global citizenship, was to bring this unprecedented and visionary program to life.
In my inaugural year, I pioneered NA’s first Immersion Experience, the Madrid, Pontevedra and Vigo program to Spain, which became the foundation for all future faculty-led immersions. Since then, we have designed a myriad of diverse immersion opportunities and established transformative programs that provide our
Working with the students to build houses in the Antiguan countryside was incredibly rewarding. It was inspiring to see them grow their independence and develop their Spanish skills throughout the trip. Participating in Immersion as an alumni chaperone was an amazing reminder of what makes NA so special — how the relationships you build with both teachers and friends last long after graduation.” – Alexander Atlas ’23, Guatemala Alumni Leader
22
LUMEN
I
SPRING 2025
students with authentic 360-degree experiences, both in other cultures and in the wilderness. Immersion Experiences currently offered include those in Spain, France, China, Guatemala, the American Southwest, the Warwick Furnace Lavender Farm, and in the wilderness of Colorado and Wyoming.