FAQ

Q: "Hey! Alternative Breaks sounds like a really cool idea! Can my roommate and I go on a trip together?!?"
A: Unfortunately no, although it may sound like a good idea, part of the experience of AB is meeting and working with new people.

Q: "Why are Alternative Breaks drug and alcohol free?"
A: We're all college students, and the majority of us have the freedom to go out and have a good time whenever we want; however, and important part of the AB experience is volunteering and learning, neither of which can be accomplished with a hangover. Moreover, each trip spends time everyday interacting with members of the community of which they are there to serve. We are representing not only Grand Valley, but college students as a whole. For the sake of creating a meaningful, productive, and educational AB experience, drugs and alcohol are not allowed.

Q: "What if I'm 21? Can I drink then?"
A: No, regardless of your age, all trips are drug and alcohol free. See above.

Q: "You said that you have AB trips that go all over the country, yet I don't see any information on the locations. Which trips go to warm places, like Florida, so I can make sure I get a nice tan while I'm volunteering?"
A: AB purposely hides the locations of all the trips until after the participants are assigned. The location of the trip should not be a deciding factor when you choose an Alternative Break. We want to make sure that participants are choosing trips based on the issues, and are passionate about the social issue they're working with, as opposed to the climate of the location.

Q: "Is Alternative Breaks religiously affiliated?"
A: No. AB welcomes students of all beliefs and faiths; yet, we are not tied to a specific religious faith.

Q: "I've heard about Alternative Breaks, now how do I get involved?"
A: It's actually really easy. Visit either the Student Organization Center in Kirkhof, or download an application for either Spring, Winter, or Weekend trips from this website. Fill out the application and turn it into the Student Organization Center by the deadline (November 1st for Spring and Winter Break Trips). We'll review all the applications and email you to let you know you've been accepted! Shortly after that, you attend an orientation to meet your site-leaders, learn your location, issue, ect. From there, everything will be handled by your awesome site-leaders. It's that simple.