Alternative Fall Break (AFB) typically lasts four days while the university is closed during October. The learning begins before the trip, as participants attend sessions and meetings designed to prepare them for the challenges and issues they will confront. Through alternative breaks, students have opportunities for hands-on work while learning about the bigger issues behind the issues they are addressing.

During the those four days, students apply what they are learning about the focus issu
es and communities at different sites through direct and indirect service as well as advocacy work. An emphasis is placed on trip reflection throughout the trip and following the students’ return.

APPLES sponsors six AFB experiences:

Urban Poverty: Participants learn about poverty and homelessness in a larger urban area.  Issues explored in previous trips include hunger and food access, addiction and health.

Latino Issues: Students explore issues affecting migrant workers and Latino communities in North Carolina including labor rights, pesticide use and access to healthcare.

Rural Poverty: Students work with local organizations to gain a better understanding of issues affecting a rural community in poverty in North Carolina.

Environmental Justice: An experience that changes based on the needs of the community, participants have an opportunity to explore a number of environmental issues.  Past topic include sea turtle conservancy, hog farming and river pollution.

Poverty and Homelessness:  In partnership with HOPE, students work with nonprofits of a homeless tent community and discuss issues of policy, health and culture.

Service-Learning Initiative: Available to students who participated in SLI 2013, this alternative break experience explore a variety of issues facing the Appalachian communities of North Carolina and Tennessee.

When applying, students may indicate a preference for Latino Issues, Urban Poverty, Environmental Justice, HOPE or Native Issues.

2012 Alternative Fall Break Timeline

August 21: Participant application opens
September 10: Participant application closes
September 11-21: Conduct interviews
September 22: Finalists notified
October 17-20: Fall Break

Apply

Interested in becoming a break leader? Learn more and apply online! Applications due, April 6, 2013.