ETSU’s Alternative Breaks is still accepting applications for this semester’s set of experiences seeking to address social justice issues in various communities outside our region.
Alternative Breaks is a student-led organization using school breaks as an opportunity to travel and spend time serving communities struggling with social injustices. According to Nathan Farnor, these trips offer an “immersive experience” where students are able to “work with organizations serving specific communities” and in the process see the reality of these social justice issues for themselves.
Farnor, who is heavily involved in helping to lead and organize these trips, said these experiences have been life-changing for him and other students who have participated.
Student involvement is vital to the success of these experiences. Each experience’s topic is chosen by students based on what is socially relevant at the time. Then groups of eight to ten students are sent to each of the chosen cities in order to address the social issues affecting those communities.
The issues and communities being served this spring break are: healthcare access for underserved communities in Nashville, Tennessee; food security and stability in Memphis, Tennessee; education and youth development in New Orleans, Louisiana; human trafficking in Greenville, South Carolina; alcohol and substance abuse in Kentucky and West Virginia; and women’s health in Baltimore, Maryland.
While many of these issues are addressed each year due to their constant relevancy, Alternative Breaks is open to any topics students feel are relevant and need to be addressed. Farnor said students who are interested in an experience and have a specific issue they are passionate about, they are more then welcome to reach out and discuss their ideas with him.
“I learned things that you don’t see in a documentary or read in an article,” Farnor said about his own experience.
He also said it opened his eyes to what many people take for granted and the intense struggles others are dealing with.
Many students who go on one of these experiences do so because they either have nothing to do over break, want to learn more about these social justice issues and how to be a better advocate for them or they are looking to test out their majors and career dreams.
Alternative Breaks are available to all undergraduate and graduate students, and some spots are still available for this spring break. Most experiences require a small deposit, and the total cost is typically between $100 and $200. This includes the costs for travel, housing, food and any supplies needed for the specific service being done.
Students who are interested in participating in an experience are encouraged to reach out either through Alternative Break’s Instagram account at @etsu_ab or their email leadandserve@etsu.edu.
