Alternative Spring Break Trips: Volunteering for College Students

Spring break is synonymous with wild parties and having fun. It's also associated with travel. However, you don't have to travel to Mexico for Spring Break to let loose and go crazy. There are plenty of alternative spring break trips that allow you to have fun while broadening your horizons and setting up for your future.

Many students go on study-abroad trips and volunteer abroad during spring break. There are still ample opportunities to meet people and see the world, but it's also a rewarding opportunity.

These seven alternative spring break trips are designed to help you immerse yourself in world cultures and learn along the way. But first, why bother with an alternative spring break trip?

Why Participate in an Alternative Spring Break?

Sure, a regular spring break trip is fun, but there are many benefits to taking an alternative spring break trip instead. College students from all over the world participate in alternative break programs as a way to expand their horizons and help those in need.

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer abroad in a country you have never visited before, making a difference in people's lives while you discover something new.

Here are some great benefits of studying abroad during spring break:

• New friends: There are plenty of opportunities to meet other college students and fellow travelers while volunteering abroad. You will encounter college students from other universities and meet locals from the country you visit, giving you an expansive network of new people you might want to stay in touch with.

• Discover new countries: Travel expands the mind, and many study abroad programs allow you to visit a country you've never been to before. In just one week over spring break, you can travel to countries near or far, from Costa Rica and Jamaica to Italy and Australia.

• Unique opportunities: Each program offers something unique, which means you get to make some fantastic memories. Different projects provide unique angles on essential projects and endeavors; you will never get experiences like this again.

• Adds to your resume: When you graduate from college, you must start applying for jobs. Volunteer programs abroad look great on your resume, which is perfect for setting you apart from other candidates.

There is an alternative spring break plan to suit everyone. You can visit your study abroad office to see what potential options are available or check out our sample itineraries. Make sure you check what your dream program requires so you can nail the application process.

Keep reading to discover some awesome spring break projects you can get involved with.

1. Teaching Abroad

Teaching abroad is one of the most popular alternative spring breaks. There are many options, from teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in a foreign school to educating communities on specific topics.

Some international schools teach all courses in English, which means native English speakers are in high demand as teaching assistants. The result is that you don't need a college degree to assist and teach in schools abroad.

Plus, teaching doesn't have to stop at school children. You can also teach adults courses on community building, entrepreneurship, or any specialties you have.

In general, teaching abroad is an excellent option if you're doing a teaching major or if you love working with kids.

2. Volunteering with Local Communities

There are countless opportunities to volunteer with local communities around the world. For example, you can spend your alternative spring break assisting flower merchants in Colombia or learning about colonial resistance in Jamaica.

These alternative spring breaks have no limits, with something to suit everyone and every interest. Volunteer opportunities are plentiful and often involve a fantastic chance to learn new skills and expertise in a meaningful way. Each one has a different focus, too, which means there is an option to suit everyone.

Volunteering can also be an enriching experience because you get to meet people you would never normally interact with and participate in programs that make a difference to those in need.

It means you return from spring break feeling fulfilled because you got to make a meaningful difference.

3. Building Projects

Another standard option for an alternative spring break trip is to get involved with building projects. It's essentially another way to volunteer, but with more physical labor than some other programs.

For example, Learn from Travel's 8-day study abroad program in Panama involves constructing houses for sustainable construction projects.

It's an excellent opportunity to spend your spring break helping people, but you also get free time to hit the beach, paddle board, surf, and engage with the local cultures.

Volunteer programs like this have a tangible result, which means you get to see the fruits of your labor by the end of the week. It has a genuine impact on the lives of locals, and you might even make friends along the way.

Other programs include building schools and other essential community buildings. Sometimes, there are also emergency relief programs that involve rebuilding affected parts of the community.

4. Disaster Relief

Natural disasters are on the rise with climate change. Banding together with fellow volunteers, you can devote your alternative spring break to helping those affected by disasters. People are often left injured, homeless, or hungry following these unforeseen disasters, so there is a lot you can do to help.

From distributing meals and volunteering in food banks to re-constructing damaged buildings and searching for lost family members, there is always a need for more volunteers. Join a team of other travelers to support those in need and make a real difference.

If you plan on volunteering for disaster relief and taking a trip to a place affected by a natural disaster, make sure you partner with responsible travel organizations or non-profits, as it can be dangerous to travel to these areas alone.

Some parts of the world are prone to natural disasters. As a result, there are plenty of volunteer programs that involve disaster prevention or mitigation. For example, strengthening buildings or even education programs to prevent oil spills and other human-made catastrophes.

5. Preserving Natural Habitats

Nature lovers can participate in ecological tourism as a means of helping the planet. Plenty of parts of the world are affected by over-tourism, where the natural landscape becomes damaged by too many visitors. It can have a knock-on effect on local people and animals.

Those interested in ecology can participate in thought-provoking programs that teach you how to care for the local environment. Plus, visiting far-flung corners of the world, like rainforests, savannahs, and rugged coasts, is an exciting way to spend spring break.

College students majoring in biology or science can also take the time to research. As far as alternative spring breaks go, volunteer programs that help the environment are some of the best ways to really explore the world.

6. Working with Endangered Animals

Animal lovers can also work with endangered species in various parts of the world. If you are a college student studying veterinary science or zoology, this could be an even more rewarding experience for you as it will help with your studies.

Great alternative spring break trips involving animals include volunteering at sanctuaries such as big cat rescue centers in Africa, orangutan sanctuaries in Indonesia, or even sea creatures in nearby countries. In some cases, you don't even need to go abroad.

7. Virtual Study Abroad Programs

In some cases, you don't need to go abroad at all. Studying abroad can be expensive, and you might not have a massive budget for your spring break. After all, college students don't tend to have substantial travel budgets.

Learn from Travel offers virtual study abroad programs that allow you to explore the world on a budget. You can engage in collaborative international projects over spring break, learning from other faculties worldwide.

Or, spend an alternative spring break taking live virtual tours of far-away destinations. There are options to explore any of your interests, from marine biology in Belize to migration in Mexico.

These programs are an excellent way to spend an alternative spring break doing something meaningful.

Ready to Embark on Your Next Adventure?

If you are a college student and want to spend your spring break doing something a little different, then these options are all a great place to start. There is something for everyone, with a volunteer program to suit all interests.

There are numerous advantages of spending your spring break volunteering instead of partying, and past travelers tend to agree.

If any of these alternative spring break options appeal to you, contact us to learn more about our volunteer opportunities.