Alternative Breaks at UNA
Creating a community of active citizens by empowering students through direct service opportunities.
Apply for the 2027 Spring Break Trip here by October 31, 2026.
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.
- Education, orientation, and training
- Pre-break direct service
- Preflection: goals and expectations
- Icebreakers and group building
- Strong direct service
- Ongoing education
- Community involvement
- Daily reflection tied to direct service and social issue education
- 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
FAQs and Requirements
Applications for Spring Break 2027 are open until October 31, 2026.
They can be found at the link below:
Because each trip only allows for a select number of participants, our office curates additional local service projects and initiatives. From Lions Lend a Hand to Volunteer Fairs, we have you covered. Education, training, service, and reflection are all built into our events and any student may sign up to participate.
All students that are not selected for AB trips are also encouraged to reapply the following year!
Alternative Break trips require a commitment from September (prior to the trip) – until the direct engagement (when the trip takes place). Orientation activities take place prior to direct engagement and 3-4 weeks leading up to the trip. Meetings include education on the issue at hand, service-learning, and cross-team communication.
The direct engagement component of Alternative Breaks takes place over Spring breaks.