Chandler Taylor posted a blog post
Students Making a Difference with Auburn's Alternative Student Break (ASB) Program
Alternative Student Break's is a program where students can give back to communities through community service during their academic breaks. The program has both domestic and international trips. Groups of Auburn University students have the opportunity to choose from multiple locations to give back and make a difference, while bonding with there peers. Alternative Student Break's, also known as ASB, began in Spring 2008. It is offered by the Center for Community Service at Auburn, which is part of the national organization Break Away. As stated on the Auburn's ASB website, the mission of their organization is, "to engage Auburn University students in an affordable, substance free experiential service learning project that encourages an understanding of pressing social issues in a significant way."Junior, Lauren Gilmore, went on the ASB Community Development trip to Ecuador, last winter. This year she is one of the two leaders in charge of the Community Development Winter 2012 trip to Nicaragua. Gilmore said, "this program is unlike any other at Auburn. It gives you the opportunity to broaden your horizons and serve others either in the United States or internationally with your fellow students."Gilmore said her trip to Ecuador with ASB changed her life in many ways. Since her trip she has taken initiative to become a leader within ASB and become more involved in community service in Auburn and her community back home. She added, "the trip made me learn that giving your time to serve others, even in the smallest way, can make huge changes in their lives." Gilmore explained that on the trip to Ecuador last winter, their team of Auburn students helped build an extension onto a local church. The church provides meals and a place for the less-fortunate children and with the extension they built, the church now can provide and help more children. She is a strong advocate for Alternative Student Breaks, saying it's a great way to meet new people at Auburn and hopefully find a love for community service.Applications for ASB Spring 2013 trips are out right now and due on Oct 31. Domestic locations for spring include Apopka, Fla., Appalachia, Ken. and Kissimmee, Fla. and international locations include the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. More information and applications for Alternative Student Break's can be found on their website at https://fp.auburn.edu/studentaffairs/communityservice/AlternativeStudentBreaks//.See More