ASB is a wonderful opportunity. It gives you the opportunity to participate in meaningful service. What makes ASB unique is its dedication to service, education and reflection. It will be unlike any volunteer experience you have had in the past. In addition, you meet people that you otherwise would not have met. During the week, you will be with 11 other MSU students from all different disciplines, offering different perspectives and serving the same cause.

Any MSU registered/active student is eligible to apply for an Alternative Break! It is important that the semester that you go on the trip, you are enrolled and taking classes. MSU graduate students and faculty are eligible to apply to be ASB Site Staff Advisors.

No, your experience has to start somewhere, right? We believe ASB is the right place to start!

Yes! We are always excited to see returnees. You are free to go on a Winter, Spring AND Weekend experience, if you wish. However, you must re-apply every time you wish to participate again.

ASB is different from your stereotypical break. It is unlike any other experience. For a week, you get to volunteer and be a part of something truly meaningful. In addition, ASB is drug and alcohol free.

No. ASB is not religiously affiliated and is open to participants of any faith/spirituality.

We hope that by having students apply by social issue, students will have a more meaningful and engaging alternative break experience.

We are happy to verify your volunteer hours! Please contact us at asb.msu.breaker@gmail.com for verification.

All applicants must go through the regular application process. ASB does not encourage friends, significant others, and/or siblings to go during the same experiences. Our experience over the last 30 years has been that students are more open and willing to go outside their comfort zone when they are on a trip with people that they don’t know. This philosophy encourages new friendships and ideas and less potential for clicks and drama during the experience.

Applications are currently open for our Winter and Spring Weeklong Experiences!

When reviewing applications, the ASB E-Board looks out for students that are enthusiastic and passionate about service. We look for a willingness to work hard and a willingness to be open to a new culture or community. The E-Board works to create diverse experiences by choosing participants with different qualities and interests. We do not necessarily place much consideration on your academic major or field of study – your passion for the social issue is most important!

Prices can vary depending on each experience. ASB offers many fundraising opportunities to help lower experience costs and will be introducing scholarships this academic year!

ASB does not offer refunds if you choose to no longer participate. For further information contact our Vice President of Finance, Andrew Quinn, at asb.msu.finance@gmail.com.

The cost includes transportation, lodging and most meals. Incidental expenses (souvenirs, tours, road snacks, etc.) will be at your own expense.

We are sending out 13 week-long Spring Break trips this year, and several weekend opportunities throughout the academic year. Week-long trips usually leave on Saturday or Sunday for their destination, and return the following Saturday or Sunday, depending on the length of their drives.

Most ASB locations are domestic and drivable. These trips receive two minivans rented by Michigan State University in which the site leaders and participants drive to their location and back. Each potential driver must pass a driving record check to drive the vans. ASB policy states that drivers must switch after three hours of driving, and students may not drive between the hours of 12 AM (midnight) and 5 AM. There are several domestic trips and three international trips that require flights. Participants on this trip are notified early that they will have to pay for their flights on top of the international trip payments.

ASB is completely funded by the participant payments and fundraising done by individual trips. Payments do not cover food during the travel to and from the location or any extra activities done during the trip. Any fundraising participants do for their trip may go toward meals-out, free day activities, or donations to their service sites. Payment plans are in place for participants starting with a small non-refundable deposit and followed by three larger payments across about three months. The last three payments are also non-refundable except for extreme circumstances, reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We are also now offering scholarships. Please see more details on our scholarships page.

We believe everyone admitted to attend an ASB trip is a responsible, educated adult. Our site leaders are extensively trained for emergency situations and developments. However, most trips will have one participant called a University Partner. A University Partner is either a graduate student, staff member, or faculty member at Michigan State University. Though they go through emergency training as well, they act as a regular participant before, during, and after the trip, and are only there to support the site leaders.

Each ASB trip is focused on a specific social issue. Some of our trips focus on issues including the environment, hunger, homelessness, education, veteran care, etc. When applying, potential participants indicate issues they are passionate about, and the student executive board then places them on trips within their interests. After selection participants all meet with their site leaders on a regular basis to talk about fundraising, rules, issue education and bonding. Participants do not know the location of trips until after they have been accepted, to ensure students are on trips for the service and not the location. Students who express interest in international trips or trips that require flights are notified of the difference before committing to the trip.

ASB is a program run by students, overseen by the Michigan State University's Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement. We offer Spartans opportunities to go on week-long and weekend trips to different areas of the United States and around the world. On these trips, we send groups of 12 people to a specific community where they perform at least 30 hours of service focused on a specific social issue under the guidance of a service organization in the community, while learning as much as possible about the subject. Two site leaders, trained students, are on every trip, and are well versed in the policies and procedures set by ASB.

ASB is completely drug and alcohol free, and we take this policy very seriously. No matter the age of participants there is absolutely no drinking or usage of drugs on any of our trips. If this policy is broken participants are sent home at their own expense, and will not be granted participation in ASB again. If students are seen drinking underage, they will also be sent home at their own expense and will have to go through Michigan State University's legal action process.