 Alternative Breaks is a Program that the University of Utah offers where you go on a service trip over either the fall or spring break; the places you can go range from California to Washington and even as far as Canada! This past week I had the amazing opportunity to go to Arcata California to work on ecosystem restoration along the coast.  There are different types of service you can work with such as coastal ecosystem restoration, homelessness, or women and poverty, along with many other types of service. The Alternative Spring Break Program is a great way to get some volunteer hours, make lasting friendships, and travel to a different community. It does cost money to go on the Alternative Break trip but it’s a reasonable price, and scholarships are even offered, making it completely possible for you to go.Â
The Alternative Spring Break trip was one of the best experiences that I have ever had. Working along the coast and in the redwood forest removing invasive species every day for a week was definitely an exhausting challenge but the gratification that came with it was endless. It was such a rewarding time in my life and taught me that I can accomplish hard things. The six people who were with me and initially started out as strangers became my family. We spent nearly every waking moment of the day together and created an incredibly strong bond that will never be broken. I grew so much in just that short week and gained knowledge on issues of importance that I had been obliviously ignorant to before. Learning about the fragility of the ecosystem and how I as an individual can make a difference was awe-inspiring and something that I was able to take back to Salt Lake with me. Overall, I am incredibly thankful that I decided to choose to volunteer in the Alternative Break Program over my spring break. While some say Spring Break is to blackout every day and come home with tan lines, knowing that I helped somewhere with something will forever be more valuable.Â