Getting Ready —
This page is intended for future interns who have received their acceptance letters and are preparing for the program. This will just be a collection of brief summaries; you can expect detailed instructions to follow sent to you directly.
HOMEWORK
Interns will be assigned a light set of homework to complete before arrival. This is not to intimidate or overwhelm, but to help the interns by laying the groundwork for the material to be covered during the program. This will ensure all interns are up to speed and can hit the ground running upon arrival. Since this material changes from year to year, you can expect these assignments to be sent to you directly.
TRAVEL
An administration staff member will be tracking all intern travel plans for arrivals and departures. They will also be the designated contact point for all travel questions. Since interns arrive from all corners of the globe, it is crucial that all interns communicate their travel plans with us promptly. This will ensure no intern gets left behind! Surveys will be sent out approximately a month before the program to gather all pertinent info for this.
From Interstate 10 in central Louisiana, exit south on Ambassador Caffery Parkway, which is Exit 100. Continue south and bear right at the Ambassador Caffery Pkwy and Bertand fork. Continue south to West Congress St. (Walgreens Pharmacy is on the right-hand corner). Turn right onto Congress and continue west about 500 ft. Southside Bible Chapel is located at 4256 W. Congress Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506.
Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) is 6.5 miles east of Southside Bible Chapel. It services connections to Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Atlanta. Arrangements can be made to pick you up at the airport. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston, Texas, is 226 miles west of Lafayette. Driving time is 3.5 hours. Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport (DFW), Dallas, Texas, is 417 miles northwest of Lafayette. Carpooling with interns from Texas may be possible. Please contact your designated staff member for more information.
The Amtrak train system has a station in Lafayette, Station Building (LFT), 100 Lee Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70501. It is five miles east of Southside Bible Chapel. Arrangements can be made to pick you up at the train station.
A number of interns will be driving from states in the Midwest and Southwest to the Galilee Program. Interns bringing their own cars have the option to carpool with other interns and help with transportation during the program. If you have space in your car and would like to help out, please contact the designated staff member via email to make arrangements.
What to Bring —
With some fifty people living under one roof, space is at a premium. Dormitories have beds or inflatable mattresses but no closets, dressers, or nightstands. Consequently, we ask that everyone bring only the bare minimum. You will need to store your clothing in your suitcase during the program. It is suggested that each intern bring only enough clothes for one week and wash his or her clothes twice during the program.
WHAT TO BRING (Required)
- Bible
- Laptop and/or tablet computer
- Cell phone
- Notebook, pens, any office supplies you require for Bible study
- Clothing for one week
- Formal dress clothes for church, graduation, formal dinners, etc.
- Business casual clothes for lectures and meal times (Slacks or nice jeans and collared shirt, or blouses and tops with sleeves, dress shoes)
- Sweaters as the classroom air conditioning can be very chilly
- Casual clothes for free time, evenings, and outreaches
- Athletic and swimwear (appropriate and modest in length and fit)
- Toiletries and towels (Two towels recommended)
- Bedding (if driving. Those flying will be provided bedding.)
- Spending cash for weekend outings and laundromat
- Prescription medication
- Identification
WHAT TO BRING (Recommended)
- Camera
- Sunglasses
- Hat (for swamp day!)
- Sunscreen
- Hair dryer
- Games and other things to promote group activities during free time
- Sports equipment: racquets, knee pads, athletic shoes, etc.
- Guitars and/or other acoustic instruments
WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME
- Pets, stuffed animals, house plants, and other non-essentials
- Unnecessary clothing
- Large musical instruments: grand pianos and double acoustic basses
- Knives and weapons of any kind
- Desktop computers, televisions, radios, and other electronic gear
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Candles, incense, flammable liquids, and anything that requires an open flame
- Anything that is hazardous to others
- Mattresses. These will be provided for you.
- Please be conscious of any outside foods you bring in; in years prior we have had interns with food allergies. If there is a concern during your phase, then we will be sure to notify you well in advance.
