Going the Distance:
This Spring UC San Diego Students
Break from College Parties to Volunteer

March 12, 2008

By Christine Clark

A lot of college students travel to exotic destinations to party during their spring break. In contrast, a number of students at UC San Diego will spend their spring vacations providing humanitarian services to developing countries through the Alternative Breaks program from March 22 to 30.

The drug-free and alcohol-free trips foster international service, education and social justice and although similar programs exist on college campuses across the country, UC San Diego has one of the largest Alternative Breaks programs in the nation.

This is the fifth consecutive year UC San Diego is sponsoring Alternative Breaks trips, but this year the program has more participants than ever. There are 10 trips, twice as many as last year, five going over spring break and five going over summer break.

Participating in the student-run, non-profit program requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but several students return year after year because they say it has a lifelong impact on them.

“My first Alternative Breaks experience in Lima, Peru was life changing,” Jerry Pang, UC San Diego alum,’07, said. Pang provided services in the villages in Lima, Peru on his first trip. “Seeing videos and pictures of poverty and homelessness is one thing, but to experience first-hand was completely mind blowing. Although we were there for such a short period of time, we knew we made a difference to the people there by showing them that we care.” Pang followed up his first trip to Peru with a trip to Xi'an, China and this spring is going to Costa Rica.

Alternative Breaks at UC San Diego is open to all students and alumni. The students travel to remote regions in various developing countries such as Brazil, Thailand, Mexico, China, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Russia and Peru to engage in volunteer efforts. The students undergo extensive preparation for the trips and they work on projects and issues that include caring for infants and children, teaching English, working with people affected by HIV/ AIDS, caring for the elderly or people with disabilities, working toward women's empowerment and sharing professional skills and experience.

Shannon Dulaney is a senior at UC San Diego who is about to go to Guatemala on an Alternative Breaks trip. She said she is becoming more excited as her departure date approaches. “I can’t wait to see Guatemala as a 21 year-old who is almost about to graduate from college,” Dulaney said. “This trip has come at a pivotal time in my life and I think it’s such a blessing to have this opportunity.”

Alternative Breaks is popular because it forces the participants to grow and learn about themselves, according to, Chapin Cole, UC San Diego alum,’07, and Alternative Breaks co-founder. “Each experience is a little bit scary in the sense that you're thrown into a new environment,” Cole said. “It allows you to learn new things, explore your personal growth and remember your role in the global community.”

In 2004, Cole co-founded the organization at UC San Diego with another Alternative Breaks participant, Melissa Higgins. Cole and Higgins worked with the director of the Center for Student Involvement, Emily Marx, to create the organization because they wanted a service project that would allow students to travel and gain exposure to other cultures.

The program fosters growth because students start out as principal participants, but they can move up to become site leaders, then community advisors if they stay involved with Alternative Breaks.

This year, Alternative Breaks is spearheaded by UC San Diego senior Benjamin Trevias. Trevias went on his first Alternative Breaks trip to Costa Rica and this year he will lead a trip to Thailand. He said he wanted to become involved with the program to expand his horizons and do work that makes an impact on the world.

Trevias said he is dedicated to promoting Alternative Breaks because he has made some of his closest friends through the program. “My Alternative Spring Breaks friends are for life,” Trevias said. “The experiences we share through Alternative Breaks definitely help solidify relationships.” He added that he learned so much from his first trip, he really wanted to help the program grow. “I had this immense feeling of wanting to contribute to the program that had changed my college, professional and personal life on so many levels,” Trevias said.

Andrea Yee UC San Diego alum,’07, said, “I've spent a few other spring breaks traveling, but Alternative Breaks provides an entirely different perspective to travel and cultural learning. Performing community service in international communities enables participants to see further than the touristy resorts and attractions and it is always so rewarding to see and be a part of positive change.”

Cole also said Alternative Breaks are much more memorable than typical vacations. This year she will serve as a community advisor on her fifth Alternative Breaks trip in Ghana, Africa. Cole has been on Alternative Breaks trips in Brazil, Mexico, Peru and China. “Each experience has been unique and renewed my appreciation for my position in this world,” Cole said. “These trips are a way to help you realize that you can make change in the world.”

Media Contact: Christine Clark, 858-534-7618