Cristosal's Global School of Human Rights

I attended the Salvadoran Asylum Program in 2017 as an immigration paralegal and learn so much from the program's presenters as well as the other participants given most were immigration attorneys. It was a thought-provoking and meaningful experience. I learned about asylum cases and the country's history from different perspectives. I felt very safe with the housing and transportation that were provided. I would love to do another program!

I attended the Global School's course: Making the Case for Asylum: Understanding Salvadoran country conditions and the international human rights law framework in February 2018 and it was a life-changing experience. We attended seminars, met with human rights activists, visited the local courts and gained an understanding of how the local courts worked, and went on local excursions. I developed a network of friends and fellow human rights workers, and gained an understanding of the challenges in local communities. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to understand more about the refugee crisis in El Salvador.

This trip was recommended by my dean and turned out to be one of the best experiences of seminary for me. Our days with Cristosol included classes taught by experts in their fields of human rights and forced migration, field trips to eye-opening, meaningful places, and fellowship that gave us time to have fun and learn more about local culture. I appreciated that we were alongside Salvadoran professionals who were learning about their own civil war for the first time, as it was not taught in school or mentioned outside of family stories. A highlight for me was visiting a village of 700+ displaced families who hosted us to an afternoon of conversation and friendship. Their ability to create a new life out of nothing speaks to the courage, strength, and faith of the people of El Salvador. I returned to Los Angeles, transformed forever with a spark that has turned into ministry among immigrants, and women and children. Would love to go back for part two of the program!

I have taken two courses with Cristosal. Both courses were enriched by the participation of Salvadorans learning with us. This refugee-focused course was an interesting combination of lecture, site visits, and interviews with people in various roles working with refugees. I came away with an in-depth understanding of the complexities of this issue which has helped me to be an informed advocate for the undocumented in this country. The cohort of participants added greatly to my learning.

The Cristosal seminar I was part of simply changed my life. During my time there, we visited sites to learn about El Salvador’s rich and difficult history and spiritual leaders like Monsignor Oscar Romero. Cristosal also offered important training on human rights and the intersection of human rights and faith. We discussed ways to help oppressed groups identify their power and walk with them to accomplish their goals. They made time to take us to some amazing restaurants and the guest house we stayed in is run by one of the most wonderful, hospitable people on earth.