Why choose to be an Alternative Break student leader?

Student leadership is what makes the Alternative Break Program so unique. Students develop and implement complex and transformative programs driven by the social justice issues that inspire and drive them. The Alt Break office provides guidance, training, and leadership resources and opportunities to empower students to create high-impact programming centered on addressing community needs and maximizing student learning in an ethical and sustainable way.

Every program is required to have two student co-leaders. Co-leaders will collaborate to coordinate education, service, or advocacy initiatives with community partners (i.e., non-profit organizations, activists and artists, civic leaders, etc), evaluate health & safety considerations in itinerary development, manage program budget, lead fundraising efforts, secure lodging, and recruit two staff/faculty program advisors as well as their program participants. 

As a community-based learning program, Alternative Breaks incorporates critical reflection before, during, and after community immersion. Leaders are expected to plan and facilitate 5-8 pre-departure trainings that offer context for the social justice and culture that will be addressed and engaged with on the program. Leaders will also facilitate daily reflection sessions while in program with the support of their advisors and participants. After community immersion, leaders will lead the group’s plan to participate in Active Citizen Day, a showcase of what programs have accomplished and learned, highlighting the social justice issues to the AU campus community and providing ways for campus members to get involved.

Alternative Break programs are designed to heighten student participants’ awareness of critical social issues, enhance their individual growth, and prepare them to be active citizens who prioritize community in their values and life choices.

Learning to lead a service-learning trip and incorporate elements of service, education, and reflection requires a considerable commitment of time and effort. Alternative Break leadership is a 15-20 hour weekly commitment throughout the academic year as student leaders build, design, train, and prepare for social engagement.

Students who lead an Alternative Break experience will:

• Understand and practice cultural competency through immersion with a diverse demographic.

• Have a greater understanding of self and values in the context of community service.

• Improve interpersonal skills.

• Develop and practice leadership.

• Explore the concepts of community, social responsibility, and active citizenship.

• Learn to facilitate trainings, meetings, and challenging conversations. 

Students leader benefits:

• Get to attend their Alternative Break program for free.

• Receive a small stipend after returning from the program.

• Access to student leadership development resources and opportunities.

Student leader expectations:

• Commit to a yearlong term as a student leader.

• Attend weekly group meetings throughout the 2022-2023 academic year.

• Commit to develop their leadership, reflection, and trip management skills.

• Commit to co-lead or lead their Alternative Break program. 

• Create a budget for their program, help their group fundraise, and help to recruit applicants to the Alternative Break program.

If you have questions, email us at altbreak@american.edu or come visit our office, located in MGC 266. You can also learn more about our past programs’ themes and locations by clicking here.