Volunteering During Spring Break Can Be a Great Time to Give Natalie Southwick - Go Overseas
go to original March 27, 2022

These days, many of us want something more from spring break than simply fun in the sun. I mean, sure, spending a week in packed bars or laying around on a beach all day have their own draws, but sometimes we just want to feel a little more productive! You’ve got the rest of your college years to spend sippin’ from red Solo cups, so why not use your week of freedom to do something good instead?

If you’re thinking this way, you’re not alone – over the last decade or so, alternative spring breaks (or ASB) have become extremely popular among altruistic-minded students who want to take advantage of that time to do something positive.

What is an alternative spring break, exactly? An ASB is when college students choose to participate in volunteer projects during the traditional week-long spring break vacation. It can be a domestic, national, or international volunteer experience in a number of fields. Additionally, an alternative spring break can be through your university, a non-profit, or through volunteer organizations.

So, pursue a short-term volunteer opportunity abroad instead of a week of indulgences. Grab your friends, too! And hey, there’s a lot in it for you other than just doing good — you’ll get to have a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and maybe even add something to your resume! Here's everything you need to know for planning your volunteer adventure on your alternative spring break.

How to Plan Your Alternative Spring Break

While the idea is easy, turning it into practice is never quite as simple. Like registering for classes, finding the right program requires doing your homework and thinking about what you want to accomplish and where you’d like to go. Do you want to work with kids? Help out at an NGO? Learn firsthand about the educational system? Do you see yourself staying in North America, or would you want to go to far-flung locations like Kenya or Peru? With the vast range of alternative break programs out there, these are all possible. You just have to find the one that’s right for you.

And that doesn’t have to be as labor-intensive as writing a research paper. In fact, many universities sponsor alternative spring breaks or have their own programs set up, so check with your study abroad office to see what options might be available through your school. Remember, also, that you don’t necessarily need to seek out a spring break-specific program. It might be more affordable to look at programs that aren’t marketed only to college students. Many volunteer programs offer short-term options (even as short as four days) that can be just as interesting, affordable, and productive as long-term ones.

If you're seriously considering taking an alternative spring break, there are a few other things you need to think about and research. Begin by deciding where you would like to spend your break, then think about what type of program you want to participate in. Once you've decided, it will be much easier to choose the perfect program.

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Related: US Tourists Choose Puerto Vallarta as a Top International Destination for Spring Break (Vallarta Daily News)

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