Alternative Breaks Application

Thank you for your interest in Alternative Spring Break 2025 - Sunday, March 16 - Saturday, March 22. (Please note actual dates may vary slightly depending on the specific travel location).

ETSU’s established Alternative Breaks program, housed in the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement, provides an exceptional platform for community-engaged learning. With a focus on active citizenship, these co-curricular opportunities empower students to engage in strong, direct service and experiential learning during traditional breaks from school. Challenging students to think critically and respond to community-identified issues, Alternative Break experiences immerse participants in diverse environments, domestically or abroad, fostering a deep understanding of social issues in new and significant ways.

The 2025 Alternative Break program will focus on the multifaceted impact of natural disasters. Participants will explore how disasters shape communities, policies, and lives through five key lenses: health and human services, housing, economics, public policy and advocacy, and the environment. Participants will engage directly with communities affected by natural disasters, gaining hands-on experience in disaster response, recovery, and preparedness. Whether exploring the role of government in disaster management, the environmental consequences of disasters, or the challenges of providing critical services and rebuilding housing, these experiences will offer a holistic understanding of the complexities surrounding disaster resilience and recovery.

For Spring Break 2025 - March 15-22, ETSU Alternative Breaks is offering two unique opportunities:

Homeward Bound: Rebuilding Communities After Disaster
(Northeast Tennessee / Western North Carolina)

This experience will focus on housing recovery in the wake of Hurricane Helene, with participants helping to restore and rebuild home in the Appalachian Highlands. Students will explore innovative, sustainable housing solutions that provide stability for families and communities recovery from disasters.

Healing in the Highlands: Health and Human Services in Disaster Relief
(Northeast Tennessee / Western North Carolina)

This experience highlights the vital role of health and human services during disaster recovery. Students will support local organization providing medical, mental health, and social services to disaster-affected communities in the Appalachian Highlands region.

To start your Alternative Break journey, please complete the application below.

For more information or any questions, please reach out to our team at altbreaks@etsu.edu.

Name*

Preferred First NameLast Name

Pronouns*

E Number*

E001234567

ETSU Email*

bucky@etsu.edu

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Date of Birth*

01/01/2001

Classification*

What is your major or area of study?*

Ex: Public Health or Masters in Counseling

Expected Graduation*

Ex: Spring 2024

How do you identify?*

T-Shirt Size*

Do you have any special dietary restrictions? (Ex: Vegan, Vegetarian, No Pork, No Dairy, etc.)

ETSU's Alternative Breaks program is committed to making our experiences accessible to students of all abilities. However, please note that we cannot guarantee that the facilities or support services at each site will match the range and quality available on the ETSU campus. We encourage students to inform us of any accommodation requests that will help ensure full participation in their chosen Alternative Break experience.

Previous Experience and Knoweldge

Please note: the below questions are asked to better gauge a participant's prior knowledge and understanding of topics related to social justice, active citizenship, and community service. Prior knowledge and experience with these topics are not required for participation in an Alternative Break.

How did you learn about ETSU Alternative Breaks?*

Have you participated in an Alternative Breaks experience before?*

If yes, please describe:

If no, have you ever participated in any other volunteer/community service project(s)? If so, please describe:

What do you hope to gain from participating in an Alternative Break experience?*

What personal attributes, character strengths, or skills do you possess that will make you a valuable member of an Alternative Break team and will contribute to the community in which you serve? (1-2 Paragraphs Max)*

Please share about your understanding of active citizenship and how it relates to social, racial, economic, environmental, educational, gender, and/or identity topics. (1-2 Paragraphs Max)*

Experiences and Focus Areas

This year's participants in Alternative Spring Break will have the opportunity to explore one of two different issue focus areas. These include Housing & Community Rebuilding and Healing through Health & Human Services.

Please rank the experience options from top choice (1) to last choice (2):*

If you were to add one additional issue focus area to the list (that is not already listed), what would that issue focus area be?*

Would you be interested in serving as a Student Experience Leader for an experience this year?*

Financial Commitment and Cancellation / Refund Policy

The cost for participating in an Alternative Breaks experience is $150.00, which covers all components of the trip, including transportation, lodging, and three basic meals per day for the duration of the experience. Every effort is made to keep costs as low as possible for students. Final cost details and the payment due date will be provided to participants upon acceptance.

If you have any questions or anticipate any financial hardship that may affect your ability to participate, please contact us at altbreaks@etsu.edu.

I understand that I am responsible for paying the full cost of my trip before traveling. If someone other than myself (e.g., a parent or guardian) will be contributing financially towards my trip, I have discussed this with them prior to submitting this agreement, and they are fully aware of my financial obligation.*

Please type the date to confirm your acceptance.

Participation Policy

All experiences begin and end on the ETSU campus. Participants are expected to travel with the group and remain together throughout the entire duration of the experience. This includes attending all pre-trip and post-trip meetings and activities. Your team leaders will schedule these meetings once participants are selected.

If you have any questions or anticipate any challenges meeting these time commitments, please contact altbreaks@etsu.edu.

I understand that I am required to attend and participate in all pre-trip meetings, service and educational activities during the experience, and all post-trip reorientation meetings and activities.*

Please type the date to confirm your acceptance.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

To ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all participants, ETSU's Alternative Breaks program enforces a strict no-alcohol and no-drug policy throughout the entire program, including all pre-trip and post-trip meetings.

I understand that ETSU's Alternative Breaks program requires all participants, experience leaders, and learning partners to remain alcohol- and drug-free throughout the entire Alternative Break experience. I acknowledge that violating this policy will result in my removal from the program and may require me to return home immediately at my own expense.*

Please type the date to confirm your acceptance.

Is there any additional information you would like to share with the Alternative Breaks team to help us better support your participation in the program?