Students who participate in alternative spring break projects find them very rewarding- While
most uniVersity students have to get their degrees before they can start helping people, students
volunteers are able to help people now. On the other hand, the accommodations are far from
glamorous. Students often sleep on the floor ofa school or church, or spend the week camping
in tents. But students only pay around $250 for meals and transportation, which is much less
than some ot‘their peers spend to travel to more traditional spring break hotspots.
Alternative spring break trips appear to be growing in popularity at universities across the United
States. Students cite a number of reasons for participating. Some appreciate the opportunity to
socialize and meet new friends. Others want to exercise their beliefs about people‘s obligation to
serve humanity and make the world a better place. Whatever their reasons, these students have
discovered something that gives them rich rewards along with a break from school work.