This article originally appeared in the Orientation print issue, in stands May 2025. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
The University of Utah’s Bennion Center offers students of all grade levels and majors the opportunity to participate in Alternative Breaks. These outings take place multiple times each semester. Students can plan for one of the weekend breaks or for a longer, week-long break during fall break or spring break.
“Alternative Breaks is a great way to get involved with community engagement, and that is our whole purpose and mission is to bring that experience to students who are looking for it,” said Abrianna Carter, one of the recruitment and community building coordinators for Alternative Breaks.
According to their mission statement, “Alternative Breaks works to promote active engagement through experiential learning on school break experiences, dedication to ethical approaches and full-engagement with local and distant communities.”
“I think it’s really cool that we’re continuing to push boundaries and also give people an experience to dive into communities they may not be familiar with, or they are familiar with, and want to just help out,” said Carter.
The Alternative Break program began in 1997 and has grown to a total of 20 community engagement experiences per year. Students can apply to be site leaders and create their own Alternative Break itinerary for a future cohort of students. However, participation in a break is required before applying to be a site leader.
Carter works with many community partners to help the site leaders with their visions when they are creating their breaks. She’s also “all over campus” in a recruitment capacity to ensure that people are hearing about these opportunities.
Application timeframes vary, but spring break and fall break applications typically close approximately two weeks into the semester. The costs associated with the program typically range from $175-$550. To hold a spot, a non-refundable $100 deposit must be paid.
Students can apply for a discount if they face financial hardship. The discount application has the same deadline as the regular program application. Students will be notified of their discount eligibility at the same time they are notified of their participant status. Students can be placed on a waitlist if the initial participants choose not to accept their offer or fail to pay their down payment in time.
“This is not a vacation”
The application process involves two essay questions: “Why are you interested in going on an Alternative Break?” and “Which break are you interested in going on and why?”
Helen Wang, one of the education and training coordinators for Alternative Breaks, recommends finding a “personal connection” to the topic when answering the application questions. She attended her first break in her freshman year at the U. She then site led her own Alternative Break on environmental stewardship in Moab. Now she sits on the executive board in her senior year.
Alternative Breaks are “not a vacation, but a community-engaged learning experience,” Wang said.
“We want to emphasize the fact that we’re going to another community to learn more about how that community works together and collaborates, rather than say, ‘Hey, we’re going on vacation,’” said Wang. “I think that’s the biggest thing with Alternative Breaks, we really try to emphasize that ethical community engagement part.”
The average day on an alternative break is filled with education, community engagement and reflection. Participants can expect to have full itineraries created by their site leaders.
Before participants leave for their break, their site leader will hold two pre-departure meetings. This is a time for the participants to gather and meet one another before their departure. The site leader will also be going over the itinerary, packing list and expectations.
The friends we made along the way
Kyle Tran, a recruitment and community building coordinator with Alternative Breaks, echoed Wang’s sentiments regarding Alternative Breaks not being a vacation.
Tran, who recently decided to double major, said, “Alt breaks really helped me piece together all my passions.”
“These people have watched me grow so much, and that little investment to make those friends and grow with them, it changed my whole experience here at the U,” Tran said.
Tran got involved with Alternative Breaks when he was a sophomore and has gone on a total of six breaks so far. He began his journey as a participant and subsequently became a site leader before becoming a member of the executive board.
When asked if he had any advice to those who may be hesitant to apply due to social anxiety or being introverted, Tran said, “Just take those little steps. Putting yourself out there is a muscle. As you build it, it becomes easier and easier. As you do these random applications to force yourself to go into these communities, eventually you’ll grow exponentially.”
