Welcome to Alternative Breaks!
"When I give food to the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food they call me a communist."
-Dom Hélder Camara
Soren Newman, Ecuador
Deadlines:
Winter Break 2008-09 Proposals- Due on June 1st, 2008.
Schedule an appointment with AB Coordinator if interested in leading a trip.
Featured Article on American Today
Students say alternative breaks are life-changing experiences BY SALLY ACHARYA
What is Alt Break?
Do you want to make a difference during your vacations? Alternative Breaks are student-initiated and organized trips to domestic and international locations with a variety of social justice themes. Trips intend to critically reflect on our role in the global community through service, activism, academic inquiry and leadership - while having fun at the same time.
Alternative Breaks are experiences that emphasize self-awareness through
a critical debriefing and analytical process before, during, and after the
trips. Trips are inherently political in that they address structural systems
of inequality, injustice, oppression, and marginalization. Students can be
transformed by the process of learning experientially in the field. Alternative
Breaks encourage participants to examine their own privilege while also recognizing
their own personal role in the larger issues at hand. The goal of Alternative
Breaks is not to be paternalistic, nor to impose personal views or perceptions;
Janel Knight primes
but rather to engage in open dialogue and for participants to learn through
listening and observing by living within the local communities.
baseboards in
St. Bernard, La.
by Jenni Lawson
(view article and slideshow)
Successful past trips have highlighted the plight of people resisting oppression, while expressing solidarity with grassroots initiatives. Some issues that have been examined are indigenous rights to land, NAFTA, intellectual property rights, women’s rights, immigrant rights, HIV/AIDS in Africa, minority rights, International Financial Institution policies, the environment, labor and trade.
Upon return, participants are encouraged to follow-up and take action in their own community. This can include raising awareness on and off campus, political engagement, lobbying and developing media materials such as documentary videos or written articles.
Trips are completely student-run, with a faculty or staff member accompanying each group. Earning academic credit is possible by completing an independent study project or other class requirements. Explore this website to learn about past trips, current trips, leading a trip, frequently asked questions, and application materials.
For more information please contact:
Alternative Break Coordinator, Shoshanna Sumka:
Email: sumka@american.edu
Phone: 202-885-2684
Or stop by and see us in the Community Service Center,
Mary Graydon Center 273