FAQ
1. Do I have to have past service or travel experience to participate?
You do not need to have experience with service or travel to participate in the Alternative Breaks program. Our goal is to encourage all students to engage in meaningful service and travel, whether this is your first time out of Los Angeles or you are a seasoned traveler. Diversity is an extremely important aspect of the trip and it is shown in the participants and placements.
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2. What is the AB Trip Selection Night?
October 23, 9:30pm, St. Robert's AuditoriumAt this event applicants will choose their AB Trip! All applicants must fill out a particpant or leader application by their respective deadlines. Applicants must be present, substitutes are not allowed. To make the AB selection process more fair, the program has decided to make trip selection more random. After you submit your application (by Oct 7), the AB program will e-mail you a random number (on Oct 21st). With that number you will choose your trip at the AB Trip Selection Night. After trips are filled there will be an Alternates list. If you are not placed on a trip, you do not have to pay the $100 deposit.
Applicants must bring the following to the AB Trip Selection Night: A copy of your passport (if you are signing up for an international trip) or driver's license, and your $100 non-refundable deposit (may be in the form of a check, flexi or cash).
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3. Are some spots on trips reserved?Some of our trips require special skills, for example, native speakers and people who are old enough to drive rental cars. The spots on the trip list will have the designated requirements listed and who those who qualify will be able to sign up during Trip Selection Night.
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4. Who participates on the trip and what is a typical group size?LMU Undergraduate and Graduate students, faculty and staff may participate in the trips. Alongside 10 participants, 2 student leaders are chosen who will be responsible for the group. An LMU staff member will also accompany the group. Some trips may have an additional faculty member. The group, therefore, will contain no more that 14 participants, with the average size being 12-13 people.
(Back to Top)5. Are the sites new every year or do you repeat programs?Trips are selected based on a variety of criteria. New trips are added each year after the new locations and/or organizations are examined and approved. Many of our trips are repeated because the student response has been so positive. Our longest running trips are San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala; Dolores Mission, East Los Angeles; and New Orleans. Check out our
previous trips for some more background on our program.
(Back to Top)6. Will I miss class if I attend a trip?Alternative Breaks are not scheduled while classes are meeting. Our trips travel during Winter, Spring and Summer academic breaks.
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7. How much does an Alternative Breaks trip cost?Trip prices vary by site and are partially subsidized by CSA and/or grant money. Trip prices include all transportation (ground and/or air), room and board, service projects, and usually one cultural excursion. Our least expensive trips are local (East LA: $175 & Catalina Island: $325). Our domestic trips outside California are usually $700, while our international trips are usually more expensive (one week: $1095, and two weeks: $1750). Please refer to Question 11 & 12 if you have concerns about paying for an AB trip, and Question 14 for the payment schedule.
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This is a group travel experience and we cannot always accommodate special dietary needs, due to limited resources. It is advised that those who do have special dietary needs bring food with them and/or buy food for themselves on the trip. The Alternative Breaks program will not cover extra meals for those with dietary restrictions. Also, some trips are not located in areas where food can be purchased.
Group travel experience means that decisions will be made in the best interest of the group as whole. In other words, individuals might not get to see all the sights and/or eat at all the places where they would like to. Group travel requires people to cooperate and compromise with others, however the experience is very rewarding for all involved.
The Alternative Breaks program advises all participants not to bring any valuables with them on their trips, for multiple reasons. One, is that there is a risk that valuables will get lost and/or stolen. And second, laptops serve as a distraction and hinder group dynamics.
11. How is the Alternative Breaks program funded?The program is funded through a variety of means. The Center for Service and Action receives funds from the University specifically designated for the Alternative Breaks program. The rest of the funding comes from independent donors, foundation grants, and student participation fees.
(Back to Top)12. I want to go on a trip but I do not think I can afford it. What should I do?There are many ways to pay for your Alternative Break trip. Please do not allow the price to deter your participation. Groups are encouraged to organize group fundraising events to pay for their trips, and a fundraising letter template is provided to all AB participants to help raise money to fund your trip. In addition, scholarships are available for students with financial need. Personal ability to pay for an Alternative Breaks trip should not inhibit participation. Numerous fundraising and scholarship opportunities are available, and CSA is willing to work with anyone who is committed to going on an AB trip. Contact Jessica Viramontes (jessica.viramontes@lmu.edu) with additional questions or concerns.
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13. I am a Loyola Marymount graduate student. Can I still apply?Yes. Loyola Marymount graduate students can participate by completing the same application process as undergraduates.
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14. How many Alternative Break trips can I participate in a year?Due to the popularity of the program, students may only participate in one Alternative Break trip per year.
(Back to Top)15. Am I guaranteed a spot on at least one trip?The AB program receives more applications than spots we have available on trips, therefore we cannot guarantee placement on a trip. During Trip Selection Night, applicants will have their own opportunity to choose the trip which they will participate on. If you first choice trip is full, you are welcome to place yourself on another trip, or as an alternate for your top choice trip. The power is in your hands.
(Back to Top)16. I am studying abroad. Can I still apply?Students who are studying abroad in the Fall Semester may particiate in Spring or Summer trips, if you are accepted. Please fill out the online application. You will be contacted by an AB staff member if we need additional information. Students who are studying abroad in the Spring Semester may only participate in a Winter trip if it does not interfere with your study abroad program.
(Back to Top)17. Can students with disabilities participate in a trip?The Center for Service and Action will do its best to accommodate all students regardless of disability. Nevertheless certain disabilities may prevent students from participating depending on the site, organization, and/or location. Please contact Jessica Viramontes (jessica.viramontes@lmu.edu) for personal concerns.
18. How can I become a trip leader?
Students can apply to be trip leaders by filling out an AB Leader Application. Following the application students are required to schedule an interview with the AB team. After all interviews are conducted a selection committee meets to place leaders. If you are not selected as a leader you will automatically be considered for placement as a participant (you don't need to reapply or reinterview). Student leaders are usually chosen for their peer leadership abilities and qualities, and not necessarily for their knowledge about a certain location or issue, although it is factored. The AB team attempts to match pairs of leaders with complementing leadership qualities (i.e. an introvert with an extrovert, or a details person with a big picture person). Previous Alternative Breaks experience is a plus, but not necessarily a requirement.
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19. How does payment work and what happens if I have to cancel last-minute?In order for a participant to sign up for a trip, he/she must bring their
$100 non-refundable deposit that is credited towards the total trip fee. The deadline to withdraw from an is
40 days prior to your trip departure date. If you do not provide written notice to Jessica Viramontes of your withdrawal before this deadline you will be charged any costs incurred to CSA (including transportation, room and board, site fees, etc.) Winter and Spring Break participants are required to pay at least 50% of the total fee prior to the departure date. All trip payments (for winter, spring and summer trips) are due by April 13, 2012. Any payments not received by April 13 will be charged to your University Student Accounts. Any exceptions to these rules are made on a case by case basis.
(Back to Top)20. Do international trips require foreign language proficiency?International trips do not require foreign language proficiency. International sites will provide guides and translators at all times, although students are encouraged to learn and speak the local language(s). Nevertheless, applicants with knowledge of the language may be given some priority to ensure the group is better able to converse with the community.
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21. Do international trips require vaccinations or other medical tests?Please visit the
Health and Safety Information page for more details.
(Back to Top)22. Are the Alternative Break trips safe?Yes. Every year the safety of each trip is considered. Nevertheless, there are always risks in both domestic and international travel. Please see the
Health and Safety Information page for more details.
(Back to Top) 23. Is the Alternative Breaks program religiously affiliated?Some Alternative Breaks trips partner with faith-based organizations. The AB program values the diverse faith traditions of our participants. Participants should be aware that each trip deals with different communities with various expressions of faith. Please contact AB staff if you have any additional questions or concerns.
(Back to Top)24. What if I get sick or injured on a trip?Please see
Health and Safety Information page for more details.
(Back to Top)25. Are we allowed to consume alcohol if we are 21+ or in a country with a lower drinking age?Drug and Alcohol Policy: "The Alternative Break program is alcohol and other drug free. This is required for the safety and well-being of all participants, the group as a whole, and the community in which they are serving. As such, absolutely NO alcohol or illegal drugs may be possessed or consumed during AB functions or trips. Should this policy be violated, the participant will be asked to leave the trip at his/her own expense."
(Back to Top)26. Can Seniors go on Summer trips?Seniors are not allowed to participate in summer alternative break trips as participants. This is so we can encourage undergraduates to apply, participate on summer trips, and bring their new knowledge and perspective back to LMU.
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27. Who may I contact if I have more specific questions?For any additional information please contact the Center for Service and Action at 310-338-2959 or Jessica Viramontes, the Alternative Breaks Coordinator, at
jessica.viramontes@lmu.edu
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