Are you looking for something new, adventurous and rewarding to do on Illinois State University’s campus? If so, then Alternative Breaks is the perfect thing for you!
This amazing program is hosted through ISU’s leadership and service, a unit of the Dean of Students office that can be found on the second floor of the Bone Center. Alternative Breaks (AB) offers weekend trips through Club AB as well as alternative spring, winter, and summer trips both domestically and internationally. This program works to create active citizens while encouraging social change by “being the change you wish to see in the world” as quoted from Mahatma Gandhi.
As a transfer student to ISU, I came to this campus hoping to be as involved as possible. I knew that I had always enjoyed volunteering, but never understood how impactful a simple act of service could be until after my international winter break trip this year (2013-14). I heard about AB through a friend in the spring of 2013. After receiving the application I checked out the website, fell in love with the idea, and blindly applied. I had no idea what I would be doing, what to expect, or if I would know anyone – which turns out, I did not. Therefore, one of many big steps that were made for me on this trip was the ability to apply and put myself out there – something that can be very scary. But, I couldn’t be happier that I did and I can’t encourage you enough to do the same.
As humans we thrive off of interactions with others. We love feeling like we have somewhere where we belong. Even though I have always been involved in various organizations, none of them have ever compared to my experience with Alternative Winter Break (AWB). While on this trip I completed over 100 hours of service. I was able to save the lives of baby sea turtles (tortugitas as they call them in Mexico), paint a local school, work with students of special needs and teach English – all within 15 days. Although you are fully aware of the service you will be doing while on these trips, no one explains to you the relationships that you will make. Not only with other participants, but also with the people you encounter in different towns, states, or in my case, countries. AWB has been the best part of my experience at Illinois State so far. It has inspired, motivated, empowered and encouraged me to be the best that I can be as a student, citizen and individual.
I wish I could explain to you in detail the amazing memories that were created on this trip, but no words could ever do it justice. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”; the things I saw, the people I met, the accomplishments that were done, and so many other aspects of this trip were breathtaking, leaving me speechless and forever changed.
Here are a few pictures and a video from my past journey that I hope will positively influence you to BE THE CHANGE and become involved with your AB program!
One of my favorite parts of this trip was being able to play soccer with the students of the local school.
These are the baby and full-size turtles that we were able to work with while in Majahuas.
This is my buddy from the special needs school I was able to volunteer at. He loved the reverse or “selfie-cam” on my iPhone!
This was the third grade classroom I taught in.They were willing and excited to learn English and help me with my Spanish.
This photo was taken when we went hiking one morning to see the sunrise in Melaque.
This is a portion of the paint job we completed at the school (the most fun part to paint)!
Video: http://youtu.be/qDPJU-dwvis
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer.Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passionto reach for the stars to change the world.”– Harriet Tubman