Why should you go on Alternative Break?

-Gain experience you can use in cover letters, resumes, and interviews. One student is using her fall alternative break trip as the subject of an essay for her study abroad application.

-Travel. In the past two years, students have seen the beach in Naples , FL , the Coke Museum in Atlanta , and Lookout Mountain in Georgia .

-Meet new people. Become friends with other DePauw students and the other volunteers you meet on the trip.

-Network and learn about job opportunities. I was offered a summer job after our trip this past October.

-Learn about how a non-profit is run by talking to the people who work at the agencies where we volunteer. Last year two students spent their Winter Term interning at Habitat for Humanity in Florida after talking with Habitat employees.

-Laugh. Lots of unexpected, funny things always happen.

-Relax. It’s like a vacation, in the sense you get away from everything: homework, parents, email, etc.

-It can be cheaper than other spring break trips. For some students, it’s cheaper than a plane ride home. The trips usually cost between $200 and $300, which includes everything: food, transportation, lodging, etc.

-Learn interesting and random things, about the work you are doing, about other people, and about yourself.

-Challenge yourself and feel good about it afterward.

-Feel gratified by helping others: spend your time making a difference rather than sleeping or partying away your break.

-It’s just fun.