Spring Break Alternatives

I just returned from a brief trip to famed South Beach in Miami Beach. The traffic was impossible. The neighborhood was jammed with men and bikini clad college women who had just recently invaded the town for the annual rite known as “Spring Break.” Frankly with the enomoiny in its current state, I did not expect such a large turnout this year. While I know that many of the participants w will have an enjoyable week in the sun before they have to return to their studies, I thought that there might be a more productive way to spend the week. It just so happens that there is. It is known as “alternative Spring Break”. Students get an opportunity to go to another country for a week and volunteer their assistance to the community.

The University of New Mexico’s Continuing Education division has activity programs for children ages 6-12. There is a Lego camp, as well as other opportunities for arts and crafts activities. There is also a teen job boot camp to help students gain an advantage in applying for summer employment. There are also opportunities for aspiring writers and astronomers.

There are several other organizations that are worthwhile to investigate. Projects Abroad, United Planet and ELAP provide opportunities for students to aid in under developed nations. Students can choose to work in Costa Rica or Guatemala for example.

Projects Abroad (http://www.projects-abroad.org/) offers opportunities for internships as well as volunteer projects. The organization has placed students in Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. The organization has an average placement of 8000 participants a year and been actively engaged in these projects since 1992.  For more information you may access their web site or contact them at 347 West 36th Street, Suite 903, New York NY 10018. To phone-    US Toll-free: 1 888 839 3535.   

Another such organizations is United Planet whose mission statement include the following “As an international non-profit organization, United Planet strives to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another. United Planet's global network of leaders and volunteers fosters cross-cultural understanding and addresses shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders.” For more information about United Planet please go to http://www.unitedplanet.org/. Participation can be from as little as one week to an entire year.  Program costs start at $995.

ELAP – Experimental Learning Abroad Programs (http://www.myelap.com/). This organization offers individual as well as group placements in a number of countries but primarily focuses on central and South America. Opportunities are available for people with interest in business, health, education, and conservation.

The point is that spring break need not be your parents’ notion of what spring break was. (If you are a nostalgia buff, rent the movie “Where the Boys Are” with George Hamilton) You have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people all around the world. You can work on your tan this summer.

Become a part of the solution.