Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is ASB looking for in applicants? Who is an ideal ASB candidate?
  2. Do I have to have past travel experience to participate in ASB?
  3. Can I still apply if I have never done community service?
  4. Is there a fee to participate in ASB?
  5. How can I raise funds to decrease my trip expenses?
  6. Are health vaccinations included in the estimated trip costs?
  7. Is ASB affiliated with the University of Virginia?
  8. Does ASB receive funding from Student Council?
  9. Is ASB religiously affiliated?
  10. Is there a faculty member on each ASB trip?
  11. Is there a language requirement for certain international trips?
  12. Does ASB return to some of the same sites year after year, or do they pick brand new sites every year?
  13. Why are these trips “alternative”?
  14. What does your motto, “Change Your Perspective” mean?
  15. Do ASB participants think that they can save the world in one week?
  16. Can my CIO organize an ASB project that further extends the mission of our organization throughout the year?
  17. I am unsure if I want to apply for ASB, can I talk to someone in person about ASB?
  18. What if I don't get placed on one of the trips that I really, really, really wanted to go on?
  19. If I decide that I do not want to participate in ASB after I turn in my deposit, can I get my money back?
  20. Can I go an ASB trip with my best friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend?
  21. What do I do if I get sick on my ASB trip?
  22. How do I become an ASB site leader?
  23. I am not currently a UVA student, can I still apply?
  24. Can I participate in more than one ASB trip in one year?
  25. Is there a point at which I can no longer drop out of participating in an ASB trip?
  26. I will be abroad in the fall. Can I still apply? How?
  27. What are some reasons for volunteering close to home?
  28. What are some reasons for volunteering abroad?

  1. What is ASB looking for in applicants? Who is an ideal ASB candidate?

    There really is no perfect ideal ASB candidate. In fact, many site leaders pick people with various different qualities and interests to ensure a diverse trip. Most important though are a general enthusiasm and willingness to work hard coupled with a strong interest in community service and the world around you.

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  2. Do I have to have past travel experience to participate in ASB?

    No. In fact, many ASB participants are first time travelers.

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  3. Can I still apply if I have never done community service?

    Of course. ASB accepts people with all ranges of service experience.

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  4. Is there a fee to participate in ASB?

    Each participant is asked to cover the cost of their own trip, ranging anywhere from $100 to $2000 depending on the trip location, length and service involved. Each trip cost includes a $25 fee that goes toward t-shirts and water bottles, trip insurance, an end of the year get together and toward the General Fund for other administrative tasks. Visit our Paying For Your Trip page for ideas on how cover these costs.

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  5. How can I raise funds to decrease my trip expenses?

    It's not very difficult to raise funds for your trip, but it does require hard work and initiative. Your site leader will set up at least one group fundraiser, in which you are expected to participate. Beyond that, many write letters to friends and family soliciting donations or go door to door in their neighborhood asking for small donations. Though each donation might seem small, if you put enough effort into raising funds, every little bit will add up. Besides writing letters to family and friends, some participants apply for grants or write letters to businesses for larger donations. Many participants have funded their entire trip in the past, but it all hinges on the effort you are willing to put into raising funds. Visit our Paying For Your Trip page for more ideas on how cover these costs.

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  6. Are health vaccinations included in the estimated trip costs?

    Some trips will have required health vaccinations, and these are included in the estimated trip costs. However, some locations have optional vaccinations that are not included in the estimated trip cost.

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  7. Is ASB affiliated with the University of Virginia?

    Alternative Spring Break is a Contracted Independent Organization, meaning that we exist and operate independently from the University of Virginia. ASB uses University facilities, resources and the U.Va. name, but the University only regulates ASB in matters that concern the University's honor and judicial systems. For more information about CIO's, please visit the Student Activities Center website.

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  8. Does ASB receive funding from Student Council?

    ASB receives minimal funding from Student Council that goes toward administrative expenses like copying and mailing. Most of our funds are acquired through grants and generous donations.

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  9. Is ASB religiously affiliated?

    Alternative Spring Break is not religiously affiliated in any way. Some site leaders may choose to work with organizations affiliated with a specific religious organization, but these trips are still open to participants of any faith or denomination.

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  10. Is there a faculty member on each ASB trip?

    Alternative Spring Break is completely student run, and the trips are also student led. There will not be a faculty member on each ASB trip, but there will be faculty support. Professors and staff in various departments help site leaders and participants learn more about their service projects and locations by meeting with groups before their departure.

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  11. Is there a language requirement for certain international trips?

    A few trips will have a language requirement because of the nature of the service, but most do not. The trips with this prerequisite will usually require a written test, oral interview or completion of certain courses to prove language capabilities. ASB trips are a perfect chance to practice language skills, but with over 60 trips this year, there will be plenty to choose from even if you do not speak another language.

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  12. Does ASB return to some of the same sites year after year, or do they pick brand new sites every year?

    One of the goals of ASB is to create relationships between the University of Virginia and the communities in which its students volunteer. A number of students choose to return to their ASB site for a summer after their initial visit, and others choose to participate in ASB trips to the same locations year after year.

    ASB has ongoing service partnerships with the following sites:
    • Atlanta 2006, 2007
    • Bangladesh 2006, 2008
    • Belize 2003, Winter 2007, Spring 2007, 2008, 2009
    • Charlottesville, Virginia 2007, 2008, 2009
    • Costa Rica 2007, 2008, 2009
    • Ecuador 2006, 2008, 2009
    • Egypt Summer 2007, Summer 2008
    • El Progreso, Honduras 2007, 2008, Summer 2009
    • Ghana Summer 2006, Summer 2007
    • Grand Canyon 2006, Winter 2007, Winter 2008, Winter 2009
    • Guatemala 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
    • Mississippi 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
    • Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
    • New Orleans, Louisiana 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, Winter 2008, 2009
    • New York City 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009
    • Peru 2007, 2008, 2009, Winter 2009
    • Port Isobel, Chesapeake Bay 2005, 2006
    • Saguaro National Park 2004, 2007
    • San Francisco, California 2006, 2007
    • Santa Monica, California 2007, 2008
    • South Carolina 2004, 2007, 2008
    • South Dakota 2007, 2008
    • Treasure Beach, Jamaica 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
    • Trinidad 2007, 2008, 2009

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  13. Why are these trips “alternative”?

    These trips are drug and alcohol free, offering students an alternative to the more “traditional” spring break. This experience allows students to be immersed in environments that enable them to interact with diverse communities and understand complex social issues.

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  14. What does your motto, “Change Your Perspective” mean?

    ASB has a twofold mission. First, we wish to bring enthusiastic and hardworking volunteers to places in need around the country and the world for a week or more of service. Second, we hope to educate University of Virginia students about the global community the issues they face in order to create educated future service leaders. In short, our motto “Change Your Perspective” means that, even though you are providing an important service for others, we hope that you will gain as much as you give on your ASB trip, whether that is service experience, a strengthened passion for service or an understanding of issues facing less fortunate communities.

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  15. Do ASB participants think that they can save the world in one week?

    ASB participants realize that one week of service cannot possibly solve all of the problems in the world, but they also recognize that it's the first step and far more productive than doing nothing. While one week of service may not be able to save the world, ASB trips provide valuable service to communities in need and also equip their participants with the experience to be able to tackle these systematic problems in the future.

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  16. Can my CIO organize an ASB project that further extends the mission of our organization throughout the year?

    Absolutely. ASB invites student leaders of all organizations to contact our Site Leader Mentors about organizing a trip focused on a specific issue about which they are passionate. If ASB partners with year-round service and cultural organizations, then students can have the opportunity to gain experience in that area through the one week project, and then return to Charlottesville and continue their work year-round. ASB is willing to train student leaders who have not participated in ASB before so that they are prepared to lead a group of students on a weeklong project. An example of a trip organized through this model for the coming year is the ASB Georgia trip which will be a partnership with the student service group, Peanuts and Crackerjacks. The trip is open to all U.Va. students, regardless of their involvement in this service organization.

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  17. I am unsure if I want to apply for ASB, can I talk to someone in person about ASB?

    Of course! Any of the Alternative Spring Break Site Leaders and Executive Board members would be more than happy to sit down with you in person to talk about ASB. Please refer to the Contact Us section for contact information. Also, there are hundreds of past participants who have been on an ASB trip - ask around.

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  18. What if I don't get placed on one of the trips that I really, really, really wanted to go on?

    Your trip placement is not set in stone. If placed on a trip, you are allowed to put your name on the waitlist for 1 other trip. If you are placed on the waiting list because all of the trips are full, then you are allowed to put your name on the waiting list for 2 other trips. Plans change, and trip rosters are often not finalized for a considerable time, so there is a good chance that you could end up going on the trip you had your heart set on. However, one of the core values of ASB is learning from a new experience, so maybe being placed on a trip besides your first choice trip is a blessing in disguise.

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  19. If I decide that I do not want to participate in ASB after I turn in my deposit, can I get my money back?

    Your $100 deposit is not refundable because it often costs money to switch names on plane tickets and make other necessary changes to reservations.

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  20. Can I go an ASB trip with my best friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend?

    We will not honor requests to go on the same trip as one of your friends / roommates / boyfriends / lovers. You and your best friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend can, of course, apply to go on the same trip, but one of our goals stated in our mission statement is to bring together members of the University community who might not otherwise interact in their usual social spheres.

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  21. What do I do if I get sick on my ASB trip?

    Every site leader is prepared to deal with illnesses and emergencies that may happen on their trip. Each site leader will be carrying a first aid kit with them and is trained to respond to emergencies. Also, each site leader is required to have a plan for situations like sickness.

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  22. How do I become an ASB site leader?

    Every year, when ASB participants return from their spring trips, ASB accepts applications and conducts interviews for those wishing to become site leaders, Some preference is given to site leaders with a strong connection to their proposed trip location (e.g. past experience in a place, language abilities, family who live there), but applicants are encouraged to apply regardless. Most important are a strong interest in community service, leadership skills and enthusiasm for Alternative Spring Break.

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  23. I am not currently a UVA student, can I still apply?

    No. Due to the incredible increase in interest in ASB, Alternative Spring Break is only open to current students at the University. Graduate students are welcome to apply as well as undergraduate students.

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  24. Can I participate in more than one ASB trip in one year?

    Yes. For example, you may apply to participate in a spring or summer trip even if you have already participated in a winter trip that year, and you may participate in both a spring and summer trip.

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  25. Is there a point at which I can no longer drop out of participating in an ASB trip?

    Yes. After February 15th, you will not receive a refund of any kind if you choose not to participate in ASB. Site leaders are entitled to create trip deadlines for their individual trips as well, as airfare payment and finalized deadlines vary.

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  26. I will be abroad in the fall. Can I still apply? How?

    Yes. We would love for you to participate in ASB even if you are not in Charlottesville during the application and interview period. Be sure to fill out the online application, and then please email Taylor and Jess at asb.placements.2010 at gmail.com for specific instructions about what you will do in place of an interview.

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  27. What are some reasons for volunteering close to home?

    Domestic ASB trips offer participants the incredible opportunity to help fill the unmet needs of daily life in the United States. Participants are exposed to often-ignored structural inequalities and social injustices that are a part of life for millions of Americans. Through participating in an ASB project that stays close to home, you will be able not only to serve Americans who are in need, but also to reflect upon your own life and how it relates to the structural and societal realities in the United States that leave some people impoverished and marginalized. Our responsibility to serve others begins with out neighbors, and you will be surprised to learn about and meet the new and different types of people who live just down the road. A domestic ASB experience will change the way you look at the communities in which you live, and you can extend your ASB experience when you return to Grounds by continuing to volunteer in Charlottesville.

    Other domestic ASB trips take a hands on approach to some of the most serious environmental problems our country faces today. Visiting national and states parks, participants visit some of the nation's most beautiful areas, while working to preserve that beauty for future generations. From invasive species removal, to litter collection, to erosion control, environmental ASB trips can change the way you think about the environment and it's challenges for the future.

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  28. What are some reasons for volunteering abroad?

    Volunteering overseas is a chance to make a personal contribution at the global level, to experience hands-on learning about another country and culture, and to exchange ideas with people you might not otherwise meet. International volunteers are able to learn from the communities where they work as well as from the experience of traveling in a foreign country and interacting with new people. This experience helps students to become more culturally fluent and more able to understand the needs and issues that exist in cultures and systems different from those which exist in their own communities.

    The experience of volunteering overseas should not end upon returning to Charlottesville. An important part of international volunteering is getting more involved in your community back home. For some, this will mean remaining aware of, or active in, global issues and/or politics; for others it may mean educating friends and family about the realities of the country where they were a volunteer. Returning home is an opportunity to share the enthusiasm and inspiration of your experience and be a force for greater social involvement. It is important to keep in mind that direct volunteer work is not the only way to help people throughout the world. Sometimes it takes a change in policies, laws, and economic regulation in order to attack problems at their roots. By keeping this in mind, acting upon it, and by sharing your international volunteer experience with others and by finding ways to incorporate what you learned into your daily life, international volunteers play an important role in promoting cultural understanding between people.

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