Types of Alternative Breaks

There are three different types of Alternative Breaks to make the most of your learning and serving experience.

Alternative Spring Break

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a week-long service opportunity in which participants travel across the country to help meet needs in various communities. Participants help Hurricane Katrina victims, tutor teenage refugees, serve individuals with HIV/AIDS, and more.

Since its inception over a decade ago, nearly 1000 students have participated in ASB. Participants examine the root causes of the social issues they address through pre-trip education and reflection during the trip. Students meet with their team approximately five times prior to departure in March and two times after the trip. Participants learn not only lessons in compassion and service that cannot be taught in the classroom alone, but they also learn the value of serving suffering families and individuals in need.

Alternative Winter Break

Alternative WInter Break (AWB) is similar to Alternative Spring Break. However, this trip is international, occurs during the academic winter break, and lasts anywhere from ten days to two weeks due to travel. As a new program at Illinois State, 2009-2010 will be only the second trip of its kind at Illinois State. Students selected participate in bi-weekly pre-trip meetings throughout first semester to help educate participants of the language and culture experiences, in addition to service preparations.

Club AB

Club AB consists of individuals striving to be active citizens; people who value the community as a priority when making decisions in their daily lives. The group focuses on the education of issues surrounding the world and making a change through positive decisions and strong direct service in the community. Activities include educational sessions, social events, local service projects, and a weekend service trip.

All students are invited to participate in Club AB regardless of if they have participated in Alternative Breaks.