Early in Fall Semester, the GALILEE coordinators hold an organizational meeting. At that meeting interested students coordinate with others wishing to visit a particular city (a city group must have at least four students). Any city is a possibility. Students have previously visited Chicago, South Bend, Toronto, Cleveland, Denver, Boulder, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, Phoenix, Atlanta, Washington D.C., and others.

Following the first meeting, participants meet on their own in their city groups to begin planning an itinerary and setting the dates for their program. The program can be done during any mutually convenient three- to four-day period over the Christmas break. Students are required to stay together in their chosen city while participating in the program. Most groups choose to stay in hostels or retreat centers. Living together during the program facilitates reflection upon the experience as it is occurring. After setting the date, the participants contact the agencies and sites in order to arrange their schedule. Each group is also required to perform at least one service project, such as serving dinner at a homeless shelter, during their GALILEE experience.

Later in the semester, all participants must attend a half-day preparatory seminar. The seminar is usually held on a Sunday afternoon in late fall. During the seminar, students meet in large discussion groups and in their smaller city groups to reflect upon their expectations for the program. Participants are also asked to sign an enrollment form stating their intention to participate in GALILEE. Once this form is signed, the student is committed to attending GALILEE unless he or she has a reasonable excuse. A reasonable excuse includes those events that would prevent a student from returning to school on time.

After participating in GALILEE over Christmas Break, students are required to write thank you notes to the agencies that hosted them. The second half-day seminar is generally held in late January or early February. During the seminar, each participant must turn in a 3 - 5 page reflection paper concerning his or her experiences and each city group must submit a photograph portfolio reflecting their experiences with GALILEE. This seminar also includes large discussion groups as well as a reflection period for the city groups and a period of assessment regarding the overall GALILEE experience.

All participants are expected to help plan and facilitate the visits. Each city group must designate a coordinator, a member who will serve as a liaison with the GALILEE leadership and ensure that all necessary planning and follow-up tasks are carried out, including writing thank you letters following the program’s completion.