An Alternative Spring Break is a way for college students to spend their spring break doing less partying and more volunteering in programs that impact real lives. According to the IERC Education Foundation, as of November 2011, American students are reported to be participating in study abroad at the following rates: Whites 78.7%, Latinos 6.4% and Blacks 4.7%. Planning an alternative spring break experience is one way to travel overseas and do meaningful work.
As with any other experience that will take a college student out of their comfort zone, research is a key first step when exploring options. Here are 11 websites students should explore for alternative spring break experiences.
Break Away has a site bank of hundreds of nonprofit organizations who want to connect with volunteers.
Spring Break Alternative offers future human rights leaders the opportunity to visit Austin, TX to protest the state’s death penalty laws.
Volunteer Match helps college students seeking an alternative spring break experience connect with organizations right in their own backyards with a zip code search.
I to I helps college students volunteer abroad and work with communities on local projects. From teaching English, coach sports or working on construction projects, there is something for everyone.
Serve.gov HBCU students or employees who want to create new alternative spring break experiences download one of these kits with information and instructions from http://www.serve.gov.
Student Conservation Association is a great resource for alternative spring break experiences for college students who interested and passionate about the environment and it’s conservation.
United Way lets college students spend spring break in Biloxi, MS in the United Way National Alternative Spring Break experience program.
Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge puts college students to work during spring break working to eliminate poverty housing.
Cross Cultural Solutions lets college students immerse themselves in life changing experiences. Insight Abroad is their one-week experience program.
Projects Abroad helps college students have meaningful spring break experiences in a wide variety of project areas from construction to performing arts to archeology.
IERCEF- North Carolina consortium of study abroad programs for students of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in that state to increase the number of African American students who study abroad