An alternative spring break is different from a traditional one because it involves a philanthropic purpose that brings a group of students together to learn and help. Here we look at what this type of spring break with a humanitarian side to it is all about.
Try Something New This Year – Volunteering for an Alternative Spring Break By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Aaliyah_Arthur]Aaliyah Arthur
If you are preparing for your spring break, why not do something different this year that will be of benefit to those less fortunate than you? How about taking an alternative spring break (ASB) instead of a traditional one? It can be a very rewarding means of spending time off that you have from school. Think of it as a hands-on-learning experience of a different sort.
You can take an alternative spring break anywhere that a humanitarian organization is working to assist others in need. You might be working with conservation efforts, building homes, rebuilding trails in national parks or helping to feed the hungry. There are opportunities near and far. All you have to do is be ready to seek them out. Start your search online or through the campus you attend.
The alternative break can be described as a trip that is undertaken by a group of college or university students who decide to volunteer their services for a week’s time. In most cases, the group is made up of approximately 10 to 12 individuals, all with the same goal- serving others. The concept of an ASB got its start in the early 1980’s, as a means of doing something beneficial for those less fortunate, while on a school vacation.
The focus of the trip is on a specific social issue. Examples of some of the most common ones include education reform, the environment, poverty and refugee resettlement. These are just some examples though. The sky’s the limit when it comes to the theme of an alternative spring break.
The way it works is that the students taking part learn about the social issues that are the focus of the trip. Once they have become acquainted with the issue at hand, they perform projects throughout their time off that are put on by local not-for-profit organizations. These breaks take place without any alcohol being consumed, or any drugs being used. The emphasis of them, besides helping those affected most by the issue, is for individual and group reflection.
Taking an alternative spring break, as opposed to a traditional one, exercises your philanthropic arm and shows your love and desire to nurture other people. These breaks provide a challenge to the participants because they encourage them to put their thinking caps on and think as critically as they possibly can. They also prompt them to react to issues and problems surrounding them in the project because these are problems faced by the community of people that they are working to help.
By being immersed in a culture and environment that is diverse, students are better able to experience, understand and discuss social issues that present themselves. This also puts them in a better position to come up with possible solutions for the betterment of the group.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Try-Something-New-This-Year—Volunteering-for-an-Alternative-Spring-Break&id=7567352] Try Something New This Year – Volunteering for an Alternative Spring Break
