Alternative Breaks at UNA

Creating a community of active citizens by empowering students through direct service opportunities.

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Every year, the Alternative Breaks program educates, trains, and sends groups of 10-12 students into their local and global communities to experience hands-on work with important issues.

The Alternative Breaks program is a student-focused initiative that organizes international and domestic service breaks during Winter and Spring Breaks. Alternative Breaks are service-learning experiences designed to heighten participants’ awareness of critical issues, enhance their individual growth, and prepare them for lifelong servant leadership. Each student-initiated break integrates volunteer service projects, reflection, and education, and focuses on a variety of topics.

Each Alternative Breaks trip is led by student site leaders who are selected based on past AB participation and ability to plan and execute impactful experiences. Site leaders assist in the logistical planning process, pre-trip meetings and service, group reflections during the breaks, and post-trip service and re-orientation. Check the “Apply Here” tab for more information about participating on a break or getting more involved with the program.

Member
Not concerned with their role in social problems.
Volunteer
Well-intentioned but not well-educated about social issues.
Conscientious Citizen
Concerned with discovering root causes; asks why?
Active Citizen
Community becomes a priority in values and life choices.
Pre-Break Transformation
Prepare students for on-site experience and provide initial education about site-specific social issues.
  • Education, orientation, and training
  • Pre-break direct service
  • Preflection: goals and expectations
  • Icebreakers and group building
On-Break Transformation
Encourage participants to look critically at the root causes of social issues and challenge them to evaluate the role they have in the community.
  • Strong direct service
  • Ongoing education
  • Community involvement
  • Daily reflection tied to direct service and social issue education
Post-Break Transformation
Help participants find avenues for continued community involvement and support their efforts to take action locally.
  • Organize or join small groups of thoughtful, committed citizens
  • Continued education
  • Reflection on the reorientation process
  • Post-break direct service, advocacy, and philanthropy
  • Life choices that benefit the community
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