José Camps Gonzalez, a 19-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico, has had an experience of his own. very enriching in spiritual and personal matters. José was one year in Dublin Oak Academy & years later returned as a collaborator of Academies to accompany the new generations. Through their experiences, it is reflected how the Regnum Christi Academies offer, in addition to education, a space for personal growth, community life and the strengthening of faith, forming young people committed to their human and spiritual development.
What for José Camps González began as a great adventure of training académic. at Dublin Oak Academy, a center from internship and exchange international from lhe Academies that are part of the Red by Colegios Regnum Christi family in Ireland, became a mission to inspire new generations through its paper like collaborator.
Friendships, faith and lasting memories
To José, Dublin Oak Academy goes beyond be a educational center or academic experience. The invaluable opportunity to attend lto Academia in Ireland was introduced to Joseph while he was a student at the Irish International School: «I remember very well that they visited us at the school to tell us about the academies that exist for students to live international experiences. Among the options, they mentioned Dublin and I was very excited because I am a soccer fan.. At the end of the day, I arrived home very excited and told my parents about it, but that did not materialize for some time later, when my parents talked to me and commented that it would be a great opportunity to live a year away from home for a year.».
One of the experiences that José treasures most are the friendships he formed during his time as a student, and how living with people from different backgrounds can be an important part of his life. and international in nature, The family became a family in spite of the different customs that each one of them had: «From the moment you arrive without knowing anyone, you start to form great friendships, because you share everything. It is something very special here».
Another of José's best moments in Dublin was the occasion when his team won an internal soccer tournament, a challenge in which he found companionship and confidence. He mentions that, years later, he was able to meet some of them again in other competitions, demonstrating how the bonds they form in the academy remain despite time and distance.
José recalls how the experience of their faith with spiritual retreats, house dynamics and the accompaniment of the staff, influenced internal growth: «That's where I stopped living my faith just for my family. At the academy, I decided on my own to have a relationship with Christ. What I learned in that year, was the beginning of a relationship more staff with Him».
However, due to the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic, José's exchange time was interrupted, forcing him to return to his hometown before the end of the cycle.
From remembrance to action: The reopening of Dublin Oak Academy
As a result of the pandemic, Dublin Oak had to close its doors due to strict security measures. Although it was a sudden closure, that departure left him with the desire to return someday: «When I arrived in Monterrey, I got in the car and told my mom that I wanted to go back.». José never imagined that he would return, but now, as a collaborator of Academies.
The partners of Academies are young people who accompany the new generations as guides and references in their daily lives. They helpstudents in the process of initial of human and spiritual formation, acting as a figurehead for the near support. «I knew I wanted to be like Andrés, my collaborator, who inspired me and helped me to be the best version of me». That experience with Andrés left a deep impression on José's exchange, giving him clarity about his vocation of service and his future. He decided to finish his high school and prepare to fulfill his goal of returning to Dublin once the academy was active again.
But Dublin Oak Academy remained closed for five years, until el September 19 2024 reopened its doors with the reopening ceremony. As a result, José was able to return to the academy as a collaborator.. The reopening brought a lot of joy and commitment to the community of teachers, professors and alumni.
José arrived in Dublin in August to help with whatever was needed: «There was a lot to be done.. We had to do everything in a period of 15 days to prepare for the arrival of the children, so we started cleaning, repairing furniture, painting and more. It was a big challenge because we didn't know how big it would be, but fortunately we were able to adapt and move forward with this great project. It was teamwork and, at see that we make it, fills you with great pride», shares José.
Today, José's daily routine begins with the very early in the morning and ends after the students have gone to rest. Among his responsibilities are helping to prepare the daily mass, accompanying the students during classes, trainings and formation moments: «At the end of the school day, haveWe have dinner after training and close the day with free time for them to call their families, play games or chat.».
As a collaborator of Academies, He is also responsible for preparing the next day's activities, always taking into account the students' routine. In addition, he mentions that his experience as an alumnus brings immense value in the way he organizes the day and in his closeness to the students: «They ask me a lot about my routine and activities in my time and that allows me to connect with them, give them advice and guide them.».
A collaboration that leaves footprint
Beyond the day-to-day, José hopes that his time at the academy can mark the new generations, just as his collaborator Andrés did with him years ago. back: «I would love for many of the children I accompany today to be able to return in the future as collaborators. of Academies, who want to repeat this experience from the other side and can give their best to serve others.».
To José, one of the moments that have touched him is chen you can see how The following are related to the students each other: «From the first day you see how they arrive from their home with a way of being completely different from when they leave. The months or even the year go by and you see how much they have grown, its maturity, how they live and overcome the vulnerability to homesickness and homesickness. live the experiences cheerful here. Seeing all that is what makes me happy, what motivates me to continue every day and be part of this change in them.».
In addition to watching them perform, José also attests how students want to go to knowiendo to Christ: «Many of them come to ask me about it, and because I went through that experience in the academy, now I can share that part with them and guide them to start their own spiritual path. I feel it is very worthwhile to share with you the friendship I have with Jesus.».
What would José say to those who are thinking of going to an Academy? Adolescents need to be listened to, recognized and accompanied in their journey of personal and spiritual formation. José shares a message for those who are about to take isdecision: «Anímense. Tomat the decision. You may haveo to give up something, but it will be worth it. No se iso with the “what would have happened”. This experience changes lives; it changed me and now I have the opportunity to join in the change of others.».
Through experiences like José's, the women's Academies reinforce their mission to offer an integral formation to all their students through Christian principles and values, enriching the practice of language, culture and culture. international and addressing the need to create communities of apostles who carry the message of the message from the Gospel to the new generations. Each of the Academies creates spaces where students can nurture their talents and learning to live with meaning through service, community and the faith.
Oak International Academies is comprised of four academies that operate as «boarding schools», or internships of exchange. Dublin Oak & Woodlands Academy are located in Ireland, while Le Châtelard e en Switzerland and Everest in the United States. Whether it's your annual, spring, summer or fall program, this is ais centers are dedicated to the integral formation of children and adolescents, accompanying them in their academic, spiritual and human development, under the mission of educational works of the School Network Regnum Christi: to form Christian leaders who will be agents of change in society.
