FAQ
Q: “I’ve heard about Alternative Breaks, now how do I get involved?”
A: Download an application for a Spring or Winter break trip. After filling out the application, you can turn it into the Community Service Learning Center, 1110 B Kirkhof Center, or submit it electronically to alt.breaks@gmail.com. We’ll review all the applications and email you to let you know you’ve been accepted! Shortly after that, you attend an orientation to meet your site leaders, learn your location, and find out what issue you’ll be working with. From there, your awesome site leaders will handle everything—it’s that simple.
Q: “Can my friend and I go on a trip together?”
A: Diversity is a really important part of the Alternative Breaks experience. When placing students on trips, we work very hard to create the largest amount of diversity within each group. Although it might sound like a good idea for you and your friend to go on the same trip, part of the experience of AB is meeting and working with new people.
Q: “Why are Alternative Breaks’ trips drug and alcohol free?”
A: We’re all college students, and the majority of us have the freedom to go out and “have a good time” whenever we want; however, an important part of the AB experience is volunteering and learning, neither of which can be accomplished with a hangover. Most importantly, in some of the communities which we work, alcohol and substances have a direct, negative contribution to the issue with which we’re working. Out of respect for the communities we serve, and for the sake of creating a meaningful, productive, and educational AB experience, drugs and alcohol are not allowed.
Q: “What if I’m 21? Can I drink then?”
A: No, regardless of your age, all trips are drug and alcohol free. See above.
Q: “I know that AB trips that go to various locations around the country, yet I don’t see any information on the locations. How can I find out where the trips I’m interested in are traveling to?”
A: AB purposely hides the locations of all the trips until after the participants are assigned. We want to make sure that participants are choosing trips based on the issues, and are passionate about the social or environmental issue they’re working with, as opposed to the climate of the location. That being said, our weeklong trips have traveled as far as UT, FL, and NY. Service Saturday trips are located in the Grand Rapids community.
Q: “Is Alternative Breaks religiously affiliated?”
A: No. AB welcomes students of all beliefs and is not tied to a specific religious faith.
Q: “How much do AB trips cost?”
A: Spring and Winter break trips are $250, local trips are $100, and Service Saturdays are free! This price includes transportation, food, and housing for the duration of the trip.
Q: “I’ve been a participant on an Alternative Break before—how do I get more involved?”
A: As a returning participant who wants to get more involved in AB, you are encouraged to apply to be a site leader! Every year, we recruit the best participants from the previous year to be leaders of our organization. Being a site leader is rewarding, as you and your co-site leader work together to plan the trip, maintain contact with your site, and build a foundation for your group. To become a site leader, you must fill out an application (see Site Leader Page), sign up for an interview with Executive Board, participate in a Site Leader Selection Day, and commit to the mandatory schedule of meetings and events. It sounds like a lot, but the time commitment isn’t demanding and the rewards of planning and leading a successful AB trip are well worth your time and effort. You can apply to be a winter break or spring break site leader, depending on the time you’re able to commit. If you have further questions about becoming an AB site leader, please email us at alt.breaks@gmail.com.