Service Learning

Events:

An Alternative Break program places teams of college students in communities to engage in positive social action and education. The goals can range from increasing cultural awareness, to bringing academic learning to life, to creating a life-long service ethic.

What is an Alternative Break?
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration

2008 ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK  PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

The Border Exchange Project Reynosa, Mexico

Mountain Housing Opportunities: Asheville, NC

Reconstructing NOLA: New Orleans, LA

2008 ALTERNATIVE SUMMER BREAK PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Grupo Cajola: Guatemala

ARE YOU READY? 
GET YOUR 2008 ALTERNATIVE BREAK
PROGRAM APPLICATION HERE! (PDF)

 

WHAT IS AN ALTERNATIVE BREAK?

Students leave behind their daily lives on campus and become immersed in communities grappling with issues as varied as chronic poverty, natural disasters, oppression, inadequate housing, hunger, and environmental damage. In doing so, these students are able to contribute to the community through their hard work, but more so from their increased understanding. The communities in which students are placed benefit from the tangible work completed, but more so from the conviction that someone noticed ... and did something about it. Communities are rallied by the energy and commitment of the students, while many students hail their experiences as fundamentally life-changing and the "best week they've ever had".

Our Alternative Break programs includes the following components in order to provide participants with a quality break experience:

Strong Direct Service: We strive to provide an opportunity for participants to engage in direct or hands-on service that addresses critical, but unmet social needs.

Orientation: Participants will be oriented to the mission and objectives of both the program and the host agency or organization with which they will be working.

Education: We establish and achieve educational objectives to give participants a sense of context and understanding of both the region they will be working in and of the problems they will be addressing during the experience.

Training: Participants will be provided with adequate training necessary to carry out tasks and projects during the trip. Ideally this training should take place prior to departure, although in some instances it may occur once participants have reached their site.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can register for Alternative Break?
Any Ramapo College student in good academic and disciplinary standing may participate.

When are the projects?
The trips to Asheville, NC, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Reynosa, Mexico take place during Spring Break recess, which is the week of March 8-15, 2008. The Dominican Republic trip takes place in the middle of May and the beginning of January (specific dates for those trips depend on air fares).

Why are all the programs substance-free? Why can't I drink alcohol?
Alternative Break aims to provide students with a healthy opportunity to deviate from the cliche of overconsumption and excess during Spring Break. For that reason, we ask that all our participants refrain from using alcohol or drugs of any kind while traveling on Alternative Break. At the same time, many students use our programs as a "safe zone" where they can interact without any pressure to use substances.

How do I sign up?
You should begin by attending an interest meeting. After deciding which trip is right for you, fill out an application form. Upon completion of the application, you must submit a $100-$200 deposit and written documentation that you've had a tetanus shot within the past ten years.

What if a trip fills up?
There is usually a waiting list for each trip. If you do not make the cut-off, do not be discouraged! Simply put your name on the waiting list and you will be informed as space becomes available.

How do I get to the project site? Do I leave from Ramapo?
For most projects, College vehicles transport participants from campus to the site or respective airport and return them to campus from the site or airport. The exception to this is the Dominican Republic trip. Participants for that trip meet at Newark Liberty International Airport.

What do I need to do to prepare for an Alternative Break?
Your Alternative Break experience begins long before you leave for your destination. Each trip has at least two solidarity meetings that you must attend prior to the actual departure on the trip. For most trips, you will be asked to submit documentation indicating that you received a tetanus shot within the past ten years. Other trips may require different sets of vaccinations. For instance, we highly recommend that you receive a Hepatitis A vaccination prior to the Dominican Republic trip. All international trips (e.g. Mexico, Dominican Republic) will require that you have a US Passport or visa for travel.

Can I get course credit?
Yes, participating in an Alternative Break may count as a Service-Learning project for designated classes. Social Work majors may also be able to complete up to ten fieldwork hours for the Social Fieldwork course (MSWK 225) by participating in Alternative Break. It is possible to take a one to three credit independent study related to the trip and receive credit.

How much does each project cost and what do my fees cover?
The cost depends on the project. See the project descriptions in this year's Alternative Break Trip Guide for the cost for each individual trip. Because most trips are subsidized by institutional funding, the trips are very affordable for student participants. The project fees cover round-trip transportation, accommodations, food, agency fees, and other expenses. Some minor transportation costs (e.g. bus fares in host cities) may not be covered.

What if I sign up and cannot attend the trip?
Because we pay ahead for all trips, ALL PROJECT DEPOSITS AND OTHER FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Is financial assistance available?
There are a limited number of scholarships available for Alternative Break if you are an Educational Opportunity Fund student. Otherwise, it is up to you to fundraise for yourself.

Does Alternative Break end when I return from the trip?
Absolutely not. We ask all participants to attend re-orientation meetings scheduled within one to two weeks after their return to campus. At the same time, we also ask all participants to attend the annual Alternative Break Reflection Luncheon scheduled a few weeks after the Alternative Break programs. We hope that your experience makes a life-long impression and alters your perspective of the world.

Where can I get more information?
See John Yao in the Cahill Center (C-209) or call 201-684-7223. You may also contact the faculty/staff trip leaders for each trip for more detailed information. (See this year's Alternative Break Trip Guide available in the Cahill Center for contact information.

 

 

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF PROJECT FEES

All applications and deposits for Spring Alternative Break trips are due on Friday, December 14, 2007.

The last day to sign up is Friday, December 14, 2007. To register, fill out an application form (available in the Cahill Center) and submit it along with a non-refundable $100.00 deposit (cash or checks payable to S.A.R.M) to John Yao in Room C-209B. Please note that the Reynosa, Mexico and New Orleans, Louisiana trips will require a $200.00 deposit.

All documentation for vaccinations and final payments for Spring Alternative Break trips are due on Friday, February 29, 2008.

The balance due on spring break trips to Reynosa, Mexico are due by Friday, February 29, 2008. At the same time, all documentation for required vaccinations (e.g. tetanus) is due on the same date. Students traveling to Puebla, Mexico will also be required to submit a copy of their valid passport on this date. Students who fail to submit final payment, vaccination documentation, or passport information may be dropped from the program or wait listed.

The Dominican Republic Project (May and January)

Applications for the Dominican Republic Project can be obtained from Father Ron Stanley of Catholic Campus Ministries in Room SC-207. Call him at 201-684-7251 or email rstanley@ramapo.edu . Due dates for deposits and applications can also be obtained from him.

For more information, please contact John Yao:
email: jyao@ramapo.edu.