Alternative Spring Break Program
Are you ready?
To dig deeper? To learn about yourself and the world? To create community?
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is an immersive experience that connects students to domestic and international partners committed to positive social change. Students learn about social, environmental, and cultural issues impacting their host community, while supporting meaningful, community-identified projects.
ASB Experiences – International
Location: Boloncó, Guatemala
- Host Organization: Students Offering Support (SOS)
- Program Themes: Education and Sustainable Livelihoods
- Primary Activities: Students will assist with the construction of a preschool kitchen and engage in dialogue with residents about the impact of palm oil production on the community.
Location: Cerro Azul, Costa Rica
- Host Organization: Students Offering Support (SOS)
- Program Themes: Education and Environment
- Primary Activities: Students will assist with the construction of a kindergarten classroom and support the facilitation of Sustainability Management workshops with students.
Location: Chimborazo, Ecuador (Andes)
- Host Organization: Me to We
- Program Themes: Education and Clean Water
- Primary Activities: Students will assist with construction projects related to enhancing educational and water facilities.
Location: Mondaña, Ecuador (Amazon)
- Host Organization: Me to We
- Program Themes: Education and Clean Water
- Primary Activities: Students will assist with construction projects related to enhancing educational and water facilities.
Location: San Felipe Chenla, Guatemala
- Host Organization: Students Offering Support (SOS)
- Program Themes: Education and Complexities of Sustainable Energy
- Primary Activities: Students will assist with the construction of two classrooms and learn about the impacts of a hydroelectric dam on the community.
The ASB program has humbled and enriched my worldview. My experience in Ecuador provided me with a lifetime full of lessons that I will forever be able to reflect on and share with those around me (…) I have made profound connections which have inspired me to find parallels within my own society and challenged me to start conversations.” – Georgia Dominguez, Humanities and Biology
ASB Experiences – Domestic
We also have two domestic offerings proposed for the year ahead. A local ASB experience in Ottawa is confirmed, however the program theme remains to be determined. We are also currently in discussion with Canadian Roots Exchange, an organization that coordinates experiential education programs hosted by Indigenous communities, about an Ontario-based ASB experience themed around Indigenous Rights. The latter partnership has not yet been confirmed, as we are still in discussion about the feasibility of implementing this opportunity for Winter 2019. We aim to confirm this opportunity by late August.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
- Host Organization: Local Food Justice in Action
- Proposed Program Themes: Food Security OR Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship OR Health and Wellness
- Primary Activities: Activities to be determined with once theme is decided, in conjunction with local partners.
Location: Community TBD, Ontario
- Host Organization: Canadian Roots Exchange
- Proposed Program Theme: Indigenous Rights
- Primary Activities: Activities to be determined with community and Canadian Roots if partnership is confirmed for 2018/2019 academic year.
For more information visit the Student Experience Office’s website.
My experience in San Felipe Chenla, Guatemala was nothing short of incredible. The community was so welcoming and grateful for the work that we did. From this experience I learned the importance of sports education amongst children, the community and the country(…) By participating in ASB I was able to gain a new perspective not only on my academics but in my everyday life. – Chiara Webb, Psychology (graduated in 2018)