By Devin Matthews // Contributing Writer | Photo by Dylan Skye Aycock // Editor-in-Chief
As Spring Break swiftly approaches, many students are gearing up for trips to various vacation spots throughout the United States, but some MTSU students choose the Alternative Spring Break experience instead.
Every year MTSU’s Office of Student Organizations & Service provides students with the opportunity to participate in the Alternative Spring Break Program (ASB).
“I just wanted to do something out of the ordinary,” Chelsea Jones, an ASB alumnus, said. “I had gone to Panama (City Beach) – the beach thing was cool- but it was like… how can I make a difference?”
The MTSU Alternative Spring Break program takes place March 7-10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The project gives students the opportunity to make a difference in their local communities through different service projects.
Students get the chance to break out of their comfort zones, while addressing social issues that need attention within the chosen communities.
“I didn’t know MT offered a Spring Break program,” said Bradley Snucks, sophomore and Global Studies major at MTSU. “I didn’t have plans for Spring Break, but I guess I do now.”
During the project, students can volunteer as participants or as site leaders. To become involved with the program, students are asked pay a registration fee of $15 and to register by Wednesday.
“We cleaned up trash and cleaned areas in Murfreesboro. I was glad that I chose to do something different, it sort of opened my eyes up some to the difference that can be made in such a short amount of time,” Jones said.
For more information on the Alternative Spring Break Program, students can visit their page at http://www.mtsu.edu/sos/breaks.php.
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I think that it is a great opportunity that our University offers to have an alternative spring break. Most University’s don’t offer such and I think that it shows how much MTSU cares for helping out the community. I also like how involved our student body is. MTSU is always having some type of community service event and the turn outs are always great. I have had friends participate in the alternative spring break and they enjoyed it so much. They would always tell me what their task was for the day and something that they took from it. I believe that situations like these really help measure the success of the program. People are volunteering and realizing how great this is and going out and telling other people about it which I turn makes others want to know more and participate as well. By serving the community, we are building relationships and people really notice that the effort that MTSU gives when it comes to service, not to mention that people in the community appreciate that we take time during our spring breaks to help others in need. As of right now I definitely don’t have any spring break plans for this year, so I am strongly considering taking advantage of this opportunity. I know that I will gain more than just a week of fun, but an appreciation for doing something positive for others during a time when most only think about themselves.