What is Alternative Breaks?

Vision: UMD Alternative Breaks envisions a world of globally-conscious citizens who are transforming communities for good.

Mission: The University of Maryland Alternative Breaks program engages individuals in short-term service-learning experiences that challenge social, political and economic structures of our global community. Through reflection, education and service, Alternative Breaks develops mutually beneficial community partnerships, critical thinking and leadership skills to create a socially just world.

Sponsored by the Adele H. Stamp Student Union-Center for Campus Life, Alternative Breaks (AB) coordinates substance-free, community service-learning trips during the university's winter, spring, and summer breaks. AB participants travel locally, nationally, and internationally in teams to engage in active service and gain new perspectives on social issues while meeting community needs and learning about and building upon community assets.

Students address social issues that include disaster relief, environmental restoration, HIV/AIDS, education, homelessness, healthcare, poverty, and immigration. AB's main goal is to educate participants about the root causes of these issues, while also making an immediate difference in the trips’ respective communities.

The AB program is an active member of Break Away: The Alternative Breaks Connection.  As part of that membership, AB adheres to the Eight Components of a Quality Alternative Break as described by Break Away®: Strong Direct Service; Orientation; Education; Training; Reflection; Reorientation; Diversity; Alcohol and Drug Free.

In addition to these eight components, the Alternative Breaks program also adheres to the following elements:

• Simple Living and Sustainability: To lessen our impact on the communities within which we work, AB seeks to live simply and sustainably by spending as little as possible on housing (our goal is to eventually have low- to no-cost housing for all sites) and food (we spend an average of $7/person/day on food costs). Additionally, we are mindful of the resources we use and the environmental impact we will have on the location where we stay.
• Reciprocal Relationships with Community Partners: We strive to build long-term relationships with communities and partner with organizations in a way that benefits both the community and our participants.
• Social Justice Focus: Each of our trips concentrates on a social justice issue and participates in direct service related to that issue, with a focus on the issue’s root causes. Thinking critically about social justice as a whole provides participants the necessary tools to think critically about the issues they are engaging with.
• Leadership for Social Change: AB provides a variety of leadership and engagement opportunities, including trip leader and intern positions. We seek to empower participants to become change agents, and provide opportunities for those looking to “move up” in the organization and take on leadership roles that engage peers in critical discussion around social justice and social change.