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A Holiday of Friendship with International Students

 

 

FLORIDA PROGRAMS - Jacksonville

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Riverside Presbyterian Church
Jacksonville, FL

You must be a theological student to participate in the Jacksonville program!

In Northeast Florida, warm and sunny most of the time, a heartfelt welcome awaits you in Jacksonville; the “Gateway to Florida”, intersected by the beautiful St. John’s River and bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and its pleasant beaches only 15 miles away.

The day you arrive, December 19th, you will be picked up at the airport or bus/train station and be brought to the church.  There you will meet the other members of the program, share the evening meal, become oriented to the plans ahead, and begin to build a team.  That first night will be spent at the church in a dormitory or ‘slumber party’ arrangement.  The next morning after breakfast and before worship, you will meet your first week’s host family, and will go home with them after worship.

 On December 21st and 22nd, activities are planned, leaving from the church, to explore the area.  This can include visiting the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, a day at the beach, exploring several historical sites, a boat trip on the St. Johns River, and picturesque Christmas activities in the Riverside community.

There is time for further options on the 23rd.

 Christmas Eve there are three services at the church, and we hope that you will be willing to share in some of the leadership of one or another of these services.  Christmas day will be a chance to experience some of the family traditions of your hosts.

 On Saturday, December 26th, you will come back to the church and work with our church’s cook and others to prepare a meal for the host families and to meet your next host family.  You will go home with the new host family, to stay with them until January 2nd.  There will be planned activities again on the 28th to the 31st.  New Year’s eve and day are again festival days in the American tradition.  We will be sure to get you back to your departure site on January 2nd.

 It is our commitment at Riverside Presbyterian Church to  provide a loving and welcoming environment in which International Students who are unable to travel to their homes during the Christmas holidays can rest and experience the peace of the season with an American family.

Program Size

10 Theological Students

Program Type

Homes

Accommodations

Single - Male and Female
First night spent at church, then two home stays of a week each.

Dress

Temperatures vary greatly 40-70 degrees F Native garb will be welcome, particularly for Christmas eve and dinner on the 26th, but is entirely optional. “Dress casual” will be dressy enough for anything.

Suggested cash for optional personal expenses

Whatever you feel you need to buy, souvenirs, etc. All meals will be provided.

Program Dates

December 19, 2009 to January 2, 2010

Airport

Jacksonville

Train Depot

Jacksonville

Bus Depot

Jacksonville 

Driving Directions

On request

Weather Forecast

Try to check just before traveling for unusual conditions-but weather can be very mild, or distinctly frosty.

Local Attractions

St. Johns River, Cummer Art Museum, the beaches, Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine, Kingsley Plantation, Fort Caroline historic site  

Other Florida Programs

 

 

 

 

 

 

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08/30/09