Making spring break count
This article is adapted from The Bridge, Concordia’s New Student Program magazine. The entire 2012-13 issue of The Bridge is available on the Counselling and Development site.
Want to make your February break an enriching, humanitarian experience, either internationally or locally? The Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program allows you to spend that week helping others.
Introduced in 2010 by Rich SwamiNathan, the ASB program is designed to give Concordia students a life-changing experience. The concept is simple. Instead of spending the February break relaxing on a beach, students are offered an alternative: a week that requires a lot of hard work and effort but gives them the satisfaction and reward of making a contribution.
Participants get the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience and make a difference in the lives of people in the communities the program supports. Students have participated in projects in locations as far away as Peru, the Dominican Republic, New Orleans and those closer to home, such as the Laurentians and Montreal.
During the program’s first year, 23 students extended their education beyond the classroom when they embraced the fun and networking opportunities of a cultural exchange. In 2011, five groups participated.
Every day offers a different experience, whether they are digging a foundation in New Orleans, repairing a school in Peru, teaching children English in the Dominican Republic, painting the dining hall at Camp Kinkora in the Laurentians, working with children in a Montreal after-school program, or helping the elderly at a local community centre. The students end their week-long experience forever changed, in a positive way.
At the end of each day, participants discuss and reflect on their experiences. The sessions are designed to help them draw meaning from the work, and discuss the larger questions of privilege, inequity, culture and our role in the world. At the end of the week, the various groups gather to discuss their conclusions, memories and insights and to build a blueprint to improve future projects.
The increasing popularity of the program has been the result of the combined effort of all involved, from the Dean of Students, team coordinators, community partners, and university staff to its most important element, the students.
“ASB is a wonderful, fun, educational, and enlightening spring break that everyone should try and be a part of,” says Maria, an Arts and Science student who went to New Orleans this year. “I am very grateful for the experience and would re-live the week in a heartbeat.”
Joshua Faier, a student in the John Molson School of Business who also went to New Orleans, agrees. “EVERYONE should do this, and it shouldn't just be a one-time thing. I will be back next year, paintbrush and all, giving another hand up,” he says.
ASB is open to all Concordia students, and faculty and staff can participate as team leaders.
Join the ASB 2013 program for experiences in Peru, Dominican Republic, New Orleans and Montreal. Faculty and staff may apply to lead the group experiences – the deadline is October 26, 2012. The deadline for student applications is November 5, 2012. Application forms are found online.
Attend an information session to find out more:
When: Monday, October 15 at 2 p.m.
Where: Room H-637, Henry F. Hall Building (1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.), Sir George Williams Campus
Related link:
• ASB