Alternative Breaks Program

2024 Alternative Weekend Trips

• Portland, ME with Partners for World Health
• High Falls, NY with the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary
• Nahant, MA with the Marine Science Center (new for Summer 1 2025!)

2025 Alternative Spring Break Trips

• Washington, D.C. with Bread for the City
• Miami, FL with Camillus House Inc.
• Charlotte, NC with Life Connections
• Tucson, AZ with Saguaro National Park
• Seattle, WA with Urban ArtWorks
• Toronto with Habitat for Humanity
• London with Granville Community Kitchen

2023 Alternative Weekend Trips

• High Falls, New York with the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary
• Laconia, New Hampshire with Prescott Farm
• Portland, Maine with Preble Street

2024 Alternative Spring Break Trips

• Boston, MA with Community Servings
• Washington, D.C. with Bread for the City
• Charlotte, NC with the Camino Health Center
• Miami, Florida with the Camillus House
• Killeen, Texas with Peaceable Kingdom Retreat
• Tuscon, Arizona with the National Park Service at Saguaro
• Seattle, Washington with Lifelong
• The Dominican Republic with 7 Elements
• Ecuador with the Tandana Foundation

2022 Alternative Weekends

• High Falls, New York with Woodstock Animal Sanctuary
• Laconia, New Hampshire with Prescott Farm
• Portland, Maine with Preble Street

2023 Alternative Spring Breaks

• Boston, Massachusetts with Community Servings
• Niagara Falls, New York with Community Missions
• West Grove, Pennsylvania with Project Cure
• Wildersville, Tennessee at Natchez Trace State Park with the American Hiking Society
• Washington, D.C. with Bread for the City
• Tucson, Arizona with the National Park Service at Saguaro
• Killeen, Texas with Peaceable Kingdom Retreat
• Seattle, Washington with Lifelong
• The Dominican Republic with 7 Elements
• Ecuador with the Tandana Foundation

• Typically senior leaders who work closely with the Assistant Director throughout the year to facilitate the program, support administration and logistics, manage communications and outreach, and develop training and resources. 
• There are five Coordinator positions; Communications and Marketing, Education and Development, Alternative Spring Break Administration and Logistics, Alternative Weekends Administration and Logistics, and Program Development (new!) 
• Participate in both individual and group meetings with the Assistant Director on a weekly basis. 
• Receive full funding for their trip fees. 

• Coordinate trip logistics based on timelines set by the Alternative Breaks Coordinators, Community Service and Civic Engagement, and the host site. 
• Work closely with their Co-Team Leader during the planning process to ensure the success of all aspects of the trip.  
• Attend monthly training sessions focused on leadership development and trip logistics. 
• Participate in biweekly office hours with the Alternative Breaks Assistant Director and program coordinators to track progress and seek support during the planning process. 
• Serve as a liaison between Trip Volunteers, the host organization, and Community Service and Civic Engagement.

• Plan and facilitate two pre-departure meetings with their team: one educational opportunity based on the trip topic or location and one trip overview meeting. 
• Lead by example to create the best service experience possible. Your actions, work ethic, and collaboration with host site staff set the tone for the team. 
• Receive a 50% discount on program fees. 
• Complete program evaluation at the end of Alternative Breaks.  

• Are flexible and willing to adapt to shifting priorities based on travel schedules and partner needs. 
• Are open to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives. 
• Are respectful to one another, to staff, and to members of their host communities. 
• Are engaged in all facets—education, service, and reflection—of the Alternative Breaks program. 
• Understand and are willing to follow the expectations and policies set by Alternative Breaks, the Office of City and Community Engagement, and Northeastern’s Student Code of Conduct. 

• Are not required to have previous volunteer experience to participate in Alternative Breaks. 
• Students can take part in Alternative Breaks while on co-op, but should get prior approval from their co-op employer. 
• Complete program evaluation at the end of their Alternative Break. 

• Staff or faculty members of Northeastern University. 
• Largely participate as regular program participants, allowing the students leaders to lead the trips. 
• Are available to provide encouragement and support to Team Leaders. 
• Support the Team Leaders in any emergency situations 
• Are often asked to be van drivers for domestic trips and handle purchases using a university procurement card 
• Interested in serving as a URep? Please email Erin Curley at e.curley@northeastern.edu

“AS A U-Rep, ASB gave me a chance to connect with Northeastern students who I otherwise would not have met and explore other parts of the country. I learned so much about how service and connection with a community can take so many different forms, I am so glad I got to participate in ASB with an amazing team” – Alternative Spring Break 2023 U-Rep

Application Deadlines: 

• 2024 Alternative Weekends application and 2025 Alternative Spring Breaks application open now!

Trip Volunteers: 

Alternative Weekend Trips 

Priority Application Deadline is October 5th, 2024. Final Deadline is October 25th, 2024. After that date, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

Apply for an Alternative Weekend here: https://neu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8GSbBW8WQq8hUIC

Alternative Spring Break Trips 

Priority Application Deadline is October 25th, 2024. Final Deadline is December 15th, 2024. After that date, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

Apply for an Alternative Spring Break here: https://neu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cNoCSnvQUyjSyaO

In general, applications are reviewed in the order they are received and trip placements are made within 5-7 days of an application, should you be accepted. Applications are accepting on a rolling-basis following the Final Deadlines. Please email communityservice@northeastern.edu with questions. 

Please note our locations have not been shared with students just yet as we are still confirming partnerships and other key logistics. 

Payment Deadlines 

Alternative Breaks requires a non-refundable deposit equal to half the total program fee to secure a spot on a trip.

Payment Options 

We accept checks or money orders payable to Northeastern University, with the volunteer’s name in the memo line.  

Deliver payments to our office at 271 Huntington Avenue or mail them to: 

Erin Curley  

Northeastern University 
420 Huntington Avenue 
Boston, MA 02115 

We also accept credit or debit card payments through Northeastern’s CashNet system: https://commerce.cashnet.com/CommunityService

Non-Refundable Payments 

Participating in Alternative Breaks requires commitment and investments of money and time. Historically, Alternative Breaks has had a no-refund policy. However, in light of COVID-19, adjustments to our ability to recover costs will likely change. CSCE will be working to update our reimbursement policy based on the refund policies of our host sites, accommodations, and airlines. 

• Team Leaders receive a 50% discount on program fees. Student Drivers on domestic trips are given a credit of $100 toward the cost of their trip. We also offer scholarships to Team Leaders and Trip Volunteers. To be considered, select “yes” on the scholarship portion of the volunteer application. We choose scholarship recipients based on financial need and in collaboration with the Office of Student Financial Services.
• To support our program, consider donating to our Community Service and Civic Engagement Gift Fund: https://giving.northeastern.edu/live/profiles/1285-community-service-civic-engagement-fund

• Zero-Tolerance Policy 
  Alternative Breaks participants are not permitted to consume alcohol or drugs at any time on trips regardless of the laws in the host state or country. This includes purchasing or obtaining alcohol or drugs. Any participant that violates this zero-tolerance policy will be asked to leave the trip at their own expense.  
• Safety and Emergency Response 
  We carefully vet our host sites to verify that they do meaningful work and can provide a safe environment for Alternative Breaks teams. We work closely with Northeastern’s risk management and legal departments to ensure host sites are in compliance with university policies. We also monitor travel advisories from the State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure volunteer safety. In the event of a medical, security, political, or other emergency, Alternative Breaks participants will immediately notify Northeastern’s Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement. Northeastern employs GardaWorld Travel Security as a travel assistance and response provider. In an emergency scenario, every reasonable accommodation will be made to ensure the safety of participants and get them back to Boston quickly. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a refund of trip fees. Learn more about GardaWorld Travel Security

For Alternative Breaks trips outside Boston, volunteers will fly to their destinations via Logan International Airport. Volunteers for local and regional trips will drive to the host site. Teams always travel together on trips. 

Once on-site, ground transportation will be provided. Some vehicles will be driven by staff and students older than 21 who have been certified by Northeastern. For global trips, the host organization will coordinate transportation.