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Printer-Friendly ModeTaking break to give back
ALT. BREAK
September 21, 2009 —
Many might expect college students to spend their vacations mixing lazy with crazy. But one campus organization works to prove that stereotype wrong.
Alternative Breaks – or “AB,” as most members call it – is a student-led program designed to give students the chance to take a vacation and give something back to the world.
“It means a lot more than traveling and volunteering,” said Alexandria Umphrey elementary education senior and AB site leader. “It means learning about the way social issues exist around the world. It’s about creating active citizens.”
Preparation takes several months as each group fundraises the money it needs. Members bond as a team and learn more about the trip’s focal issue.
This year’s issues are at-risk youth, poverty, health and wellness, cultural awareness, environment issues and Native American issues.
Smriti Pant, a nursing junior, said she was excited to apply.
“The organization gives students a great learning opportunity beyond textbooks,” she said. “You’re reaching out to the bigger community, and you know you’re making a difference.”
The program this year is planning seven trips, with each team made up of 12 students. One winter break is scheduled Dec. 27 to Jan. 3, and two more from Jan. 2 to 10. Four spring trips are set for March 6 to 14.
Previous groups have traveled all over. Past sites include Alabama, Florida and the Dominican Republic.
To apply, students had to complete a questionnaire, an essay and an interview. Students were placed in their groups based on personal goals, personality traits, reasons for interest and past volunteer experience.
Applicants rated which issues they’d most like to work with. These ratings go into a pool of information to determine which team gets which students.
Site leaders try to form groups with students who don’t know each other to keep the focus on the issue. For the same reason, students only find out the trips’ destinations after the application process.
Many applicants said they would love the opportunity to get involved, including elementary education sophomore Lauren Cheaney.
“I thought it would be a great experience to work with others,” said Cheaney, who learned about AB from her roommate. “I want to know how others live, and I want to be more open-minded.”
Students in the program say they gain experience in a real-world issue and know they’ve made a difference. But, many say, more often than not, they also walk away with 11 new best friends.