GVSU Alternative Breaks

Alternative Breaks is a student-run organization that offers opportunities to go on week-long service learning trips during winter, spring and summer break. These trips take place all throughout the country and focus on important social and environmental issues. Can I go on more than one trip per year? What’s the alcohol policy if I’m 21? AB requires active engagement, so we have a no alcohol policy. We have this policy because 1). You may work in communities that struggle with alcohol related issues, 2). Not everyone in your group will be 21 or comfortable with alcohol, and 3). You can’t be actively engaged in education, service or reflection while intoxicated. Can my friends and I go on the same trip together? In order to create diversity on trips, we make sure that no one in a group knows each other. This creates opportunities to work with new people and make new friends while participating in AB. How can I find out where the trips are going? We keep the locations of each trip a secret until our orientation day in late November! When applying, you will be able to choose the top four trip issues that interest you the most. We will do our best to place you in a trip that will be doing work that interest you. Is AB religiously affiliated? AB is not religiously affiliated and welcomes people of all faiths and beliefs. How much does an AB trip cost? Are there scholarships or fundraising opportunities? National trips (within 24 hours away) are $250 and regional trips (within 4 hours away) are $150. These fees cover the costs of travel, housing and meals for the week. Scholarship and fundraising opportunities are available—please ask us about them! Do I get to choose what trip I get to go on? When applying, you get to choose the top 4 trip issues that you are interested in. With this information, we will try our best to place you in the trip that interests you the most!