Alternative Breaks

Supporting justice work and community-identified projects both globally and locally, Naz Alternative Breaks connects students, faculty, staff and community partners through an immersive service and education experience during school breaks. Spend time with your team preparing to enter a new community in the weeks leading up to Winter or Spring Break, committing to purposeful and empathetic conversations, understanding reciprocity and the nature of service, and participating in self-reflection. Travel locally or globally where you will learn and serve alongside peers and community members. Upon returning to campus, apply what you learned to social issues in Rochester and consider how to become a more active citizen in your daily life.

2024-2025 Programs: APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! 

Apply now!

2024-2025 Naz Alternative Breaks is now taking applications for its four teams! Attend an info session in September for more info. (Dates listed below.)

A Tale of Two Countries: Narratives of Immigration and Community Revitalization Along the Border
San Diego, California & Tijuana, Mexico
Focus: Community Development, Immigration, Veterans
Saturday, January 11 - Saturday, January 18

Green Fingers: Urban Gardening, Indigenous Preservation, and Latin American Culture
Colombia: Medellin, Río Claro, Santa Marta, & Cartagena
Focus: Sustainable Farming, Environmental Justice
Sunday, January 5 - Sunday, January 19
SPARK-eligible

Breaking Barriers, Building Community: Empowering Communities Through Substance Use Harm Reduction
New York, NY
Focus: Harm Reduction, Overdose Prevention, Substance Abuse, Sex Work
Sunday, March 16 - Saturday, March 22

Traditions Thrive, Futures Flourish: Indigenous Youth Development and Indigenous Culture
Dupree, South Dakota
Focus: Indigenous Culture, Youth Development
Saturday, March 15 - Saturday, March 22

 

Alt Breaks are led by two Nazareth student team leaders trained in the Break Away model, and accompanied by two Faculty or Staff advisors. Undergraduate and Graduate students are eligible to apply.

 Apply now!

Naz Alternative Breaks strives to be equitable and accessible in its programming. If accommodations are needed to complete the application or interview process, please contact Jennifer Canning, Naz Alt Breaks, 585-389-2304, jcannin6@naz.edu to make arrangements. 

Alternative Break Parameters

Cost to Student

Cost to Undergrad Student After Fundraising and Naz Support:

  • Costs of Alt Breaks are determined by mode of travel (land or air, or Rochester-based), and will range from $450 to $1600.

Cost to Grad Student will differ by experience.

- A non-refundable deposit must be made by October 31 for all Winter and Spring participants.
- Cost includes program fees, excursions, lodging, meals, and transportation for the duration of the Alt Break. Financial assistance is available for those with demonstrated need.

Fundraising: All Alternative Break participants are required to actively engage in Alternative Break fundraising events, including a letter writing campaign, advertising donation days at local restaurants, and more! These fundraising activities allow us to keep the cost of trips affordable for all students.

Dates

Winter Break (January)

  • A Tale of Two Countries: Narratives of Immigration and Community Revitalization Along the Border
    Organization: Via International
    Location: San Diego, California & Tijuana, Mexico
    Focus: Community Development, Immigration, Veterans
    Date: Saturday, January 11 - Saturday, January 18
    Cost: $850

  • Green Fingers: Urban Gardening, Indigenous Preservation, and Latin American Culture
    Organization: Kagumu Adventures
    Location: Colombia: Medellin, Río Claro, Santa Marta, & Cartagena
    Focus: Sustainable Farming, Environmental Justice
    Date: Sunday, January 5 - Sunday, January 19
    Cost: $1000 (with SPARK Grant), $1600 (without SPARK Grant)

Spring Break (March)

  • Breaking Barriers, Building Community: Empowering Communities Through Substance Use Harm Reduction
    Organization: OnPoint NYC
    Location: New York, NY
    Focus: Harm Reduction, Overdose Prevention, Substance Abuse, Sex Work
    Date: Sunday, March 16 - Saturday, March 22
    Cost: $450

  • Traditions Thrive, Futures Flourish: Indigenous Youth Development and Indigenous Culture
    Organization: YMCA of the Seven Council Fires
    Location: Dupree, SD
    Focus: Indigenous Culture, Youth Development
    Date: Saturday, March 15 - Saturday, March 22
    Cost: $850

 

Information Sessions

Visit Alt Breaks at the Student Engagement Expo and attend the Information Sessions in September to learn details about all of our upcoming Alt Breaks!

Tuesday 9/10/24 12:10 - 1pm, GAC 236

Thursday, 9/12/24 7 - 8 pm, Smyth 160

Wednesday, 9/18/24 4 - 5 pm, GAC 236

Thursday 9/19/24 12:10 - 1 pm, Smyth 247

Tuesday, 9/24/24 12:10 - 1 pm, GAC 38

Deadlines
  • Applications are due Monday, September 30th.
  • Deposit Payments are due Monday, October 28th.

Payments are non-refundable.

How to Apply
  1. Attend an Alternative Break Information Session in September.
  2. Complete the online application before the stated deadline. 
  3. Schedule an interview with Alternative Break student leaders and staff.
Program Goals

Students will: 

  • Prepare for their experience by researching issues and community partners, committing to purposeful and empathetic conversations, understanding reciprocity and the nature of service, and participating in self-reflection.
  • Create relationships with students, advisors and community members. 
  • Consider how we enter a community ethically and respectfully.
  • Commit to continuing the work after the experience is over.
Program Requirements

Alt Break participants must provide the following before the stated deadline:

  • the required deposit amount.
  • a signed Nazareth University Liability Waiver.
  • a signed Nazareth University Alternative Break Code of Conduct Form.
  • a signed Nazareth University Short-Term Program Pre-Application Checklist.
  • a completed Nazareth University Alternative Break Emergency and Medical Information Form.

Many trips also require a background check, valid passport, notarized liability forms, health forms and/or vaccines, which may incur additional costs. See specific experience information for details under "Travel Requirements" on the program's webpage.

All Alt Break participants must:

  • Attend five team meetings before the experience. Meetings usually take place in the evenings. 
  • Attend the all-participant meetings throughout the semester, both before and after the experience. 
  • Attend two team meetings after the experience, involving reorientation activities.
  • Participate in program fundraising opportunities.
  • Participate in reflection meetings during the experience.
  • Complete a Final Reflection survey.

Satisfaction of these requirements fulfills the University's Experiential Learning requirement. 

Pre-Reading

Alt Break participants may be provided with readings that addresses cultural issues, social responsibility, sustainable development and issue-specific topics that will be discussed during team meetings and while on the experience.

 
 
 

Naz Alternative Breaks is part of the nationwide Break Away organization and follows its guiding principles of trips that include intentional preparation, continuous reflection, and a commitment to service beyond the trip experience.

Experiential Learning

Some short-term opportunities are an approved pathway for Experiential Learning, which is one component of the core curriculum at Naz.

Learn more

Students plant vegetables at Terra Madre gardens in San Diego, California

Chicano community in San Diego

"I was able to have the experience of a lifetime discovering the beauty of the Chicano community in San Diego, California — as well as the systemic inequities that affect people there."

Read: Karlee Robb's blog post ≫

Students and staff in white aprons and masks in the kitchen at Central Union Mission, Washington, DC

Why You Should Go On An Alternative Break With Nazareth

"As I have become increasingly involved in Nazareth Alternative Breaks, it has become the glue of my undergraduate experience, and has set the tone for my life's work."

Read: Elena Baugh's blog post ≫