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Change up your Spring Break routine with Alternative Spring Break

Illinois Contributor Student Contributor, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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Emily Cleary Student Contributor, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

There is nothing like that cold wind whipping through Champaign-Urbana to remind you to start planning for the glorious escape that is spring break. Illini favorites like South Padre, Cancun and Panama City Beach all promise sun and fun; but have you ever considered doing something more with your vacation time?  
 
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a student-run, non-profit organization of the University YMCA here in Champaign. It offers students the chance to participate in fall, winter and spring break service trips that take on a variety of social justice issues such as disability awareness, HIV/AIDS prevention and environmental concerns. Spring 2012 locations include New York City, Denver, Los Angeles, El Paso, Texas and more.

 
According to ASB external relations chair Mallory Gamer, “ASB trips are an unbelievable opportunity to do something productive, educational, rewarding and fun over break.”
 
She went on her first ASB trip last winter in Washington, DC, where she worked with the National Coalition for the Homeless volunteering at various shelters and food banks in the area. The ASB experience is immersive and seeks to expose students to the issues at hand.
 
“For the first 48 hours, we participated in an urban plunge and had to actually be homeless on the streets of DC,” Gamer said. “It was an eye-opening experience for all of us that gave us amazing insight on the issue of hunger and homelessness.”
 
An ASB trip can also be a great place to meet new people outside of your normal social circles.
 
As Mallory described, “Our group became incredibly close and all keep in close contact and hang out whenever we can.” 
 
Service trips are also great resume builders, especially for collegiettes in fields like education, pre-law or social work.
 
If you’re interested in ASB, here are a few important things to know:
 

  • ASB does not condone drug or alcohol use. Service trips are meant to build connections and educate through service, which you cannot do effectively if you are focused on partying, as Mallory explained.

 

  • Each group meets before the trip to get to know each other and their service issue. There are activities, discussions, coffee talks (with free food), and a pre-break volunteer project with a local Champaign agency related to each groups’ issue.

 

  • All groups travel from Champaign to their destination in rented vans. If you’re 21 or older, you can be a driver and receive a $50 discount on your trip expenses!

 

  • During the trip, you will volunteer for 5-6 days. Everything you need is pre-planned, but you will also have free time to explore wherever you are working.

 

  • If you’re looking for leadership experience, you also have the opportunity to be a “trip-fac” (trip facilitator). Trip-facs help organize pre-departure meetings and fundraising. The application requires a few more questions and a brief interview – no prior ASB experience is required. Trip-facs also receive a $50 discount!

 

  • Detailed trip information and applications can be found online at www.illinoisasb.org. The general application consists of four mini-essay questions (300-500 words) regarding intent and interests, as well as rankings for trip options and preferences.

 

  • The deadline for Spring 2012 trips is DECEMBER 8th at MIDNIGHT. The deadline to be a Spring 2012 trip-fac is DECEMBER 1ST at MIDNIGHT.

 
 
So, why not do something different this year? Meet new people and help others by checking out Alternative Spring Break. It’s an amazing organization that’s sure to offer a truly unforgettable trip.
 
* A special thanks to Mallory Gamer for all her information and enthusiasm! Email her with your ASB questions at mallorygamer@gmail.com.
 
 

Illinois Contributor

Illinois '22

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Emily Cleary
Emily Cleary is a 22-year-old news-editorial journalism major hoping to work in the fashion industry, whether that be in editorial, marketing, PR or event planning is TBD. With internships at Teen Vogue and StyleChicago.com, it's clear that she is a fashion fanatic. When she's not studying (she's the former VP of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta), writing for various publications or attending meetings for clubs like Business Careers in Entertainment Club, Society of Professional Journalists, The Business of Fashion Club, or for her role as the Assistant Editor of the Arts & Entertainment section of her school's magazine, she's doing something else; you will never find her sitting still. She loves: running (you know those crazy cross-country runners...), attending concerts and music festivals, shopping (of course), hanging out with friends, visiting her family at home, traveling (she studied abroad in London when she was able to travel all over Europe), taking pictures, tweeting, reading stacks and stacks of magazines and newspapers while drinking a Starbuck's caramel light frappacino, blogs and the occasional blogging, eating anything chocolate and conjuring up her next big project. Living just 20 minutes outside of Chicago, she's excited to live there after graduation, but would love to spend some time in New York, LA, London or Paris (she speaks French)!