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"It was valuable in that it truly gave me a much better picture of the problem and ways to address it. It was not simply a week where we helped some people and left feeling good about ourselves, but it was very educational and for those who want to work to address the issue, it really gave a solid understanding of the ways to do so."

-- Participant, ASB 2007-2008

It has been one of the most valuable experiences I have ever had. I got to learn first hand about a field that interests me and I wouldn't have wanted to spend spring break any other way.

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

"To be able to understand a complex social issue in this way is one of the most rewarding experiences available at Stanford. I am also excited to have found a social issue in which I can work further, and towards which to focus my concentration."

-- Participant, ASB 2008-2009

"The ASB program opened my eyes to injustices of which I had not been previously aware. The exposure to these injustices greatly affected me and made me want to work to correct them in my future. It was an absolutely incredible experience!"

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

It has opened my eyes to the numerous ways an individual can effect change in a community, no matter what his/her interest. In particular, it encouraged me to continue to be excited about pursuing a career in healthcare.

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

"AMAZING, LIFE CHANGING, ENGLIGHTENING!"

-- Participant, ASB 2008-2009

"Honestly, one of the most academically enriching, intense, unforgetable experiences I have had at Stanford. I was blow away by both the leadership & the passion of every student on board, and I feel that we learned from organizations, leaders, and ourselves."

-- Participant, ASB 2008-2009

"It was an incredible learning opportunity and extremely enjoyable. I came out of the experience with a much deeper, broader, and integrated understanding of the issues related to the trip, a bunch of great new friendships, and a feeling that I had made a difference by educating myself on critical issues and by using my knowledge to advocate for solutions."

-- Participant, ASB 2007-2008

Life-changing -- I now have a much better sense of how I want to shape my future through public service.

-- Participant, ASB 2008-2009

In one honest word: invaluable. I have learned much from my trip and will continue to. My identity itself has shifted because of this trip, as have my life goals and plans.

-- Participant, ASB 2008-2009

The overall ASB experience was lifechanging for me, and it really made me realize the potential I have to create change as a Stanford student with so many opportunities.

-- Participant, ASB 2008-2009

It taught me a different way to think of social change (particularly in a more practical way) and inspired me to do service and gave me the tools to do so in an effective way.

-- Participant, ASB 2008-2009

"IMMENSE."

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

I see this ASB trip as a long-term investment in Stanford students. I came back to Stanford physcially tired from not sleeping and being on the go for a week, but completely rejuvenated. I now feel really excited to go back to my classes, and I have a whole bunch of new role models in public service - not to mention contacts for post-Stanford career opportunities.

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

It was fantastic -- it provided me with a lot of history and context. and also motivated me to become more involved with the core issues.

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

Phenomenal!! Has helped me look deeper into what I want to do with my life!

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

It was definitely the best thing I've done at Stanford.

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

The knowledge I gained and the fervor for service I developed is priceless. I would attend it again, or even lead one if i had the chance.

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

"We met with more interesting people and had a more intense learning experience in a day than I've had in a quarter in most of my classes. Phenomenal!!!"

-- Participant, ASB 2007-2008

AMAZING. Educational. Valuable. Intriguing. I loved it. Too awesome for words.

-- Participant, ASB 2008-2009

"I've been changed. That's all I can say."

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

"It was an absolutely fantastic experience- I can't believe how much I learned in just one week! It has inspired me to get more involved in activism and advocacy on campus, and has opened my eyes to exciting career options for after I graduate!"

-- Participant, ASB 2009-2010

Frequently Asked Questions

We are currently experiencing an issue with the trip-specific question webform. Responses to trip specific questions are not being saved properly. Common question responses, however, ARE saving. Please submit BOTH your common essays and your trip-specific essays tonight before the deadline. Submitting your common essays registers you as an applicant in the system for this cycle; submitting your trip-specific essays prior to the deadline gets you on the applicant list for that trip.

We will ask applicants who submit before tonight's deadline to resubmit their trip-specific responses once we fix the glitch, so save your question responses in a word document on your computer! Only applicants who submit their common responses before the deadline tonight will have the opportuity to resubmit their trip-specific responses, once we correct the glitch.

Thank you!

Please send any questions to: asbcoordinators@lists.stanford.edu

I want to apply to a trip! How do I get started?

If you haven't already done so, click on the link in the upper left corner, "Login with your SUNet ID". If you have not applied for one of our trips before, please create a profile! If you already have a profile, you'll need to update and save it.

Once you have an updated profile, you're in! After perusing the Courses and Trips, click the "My Home" link on left. This will take you to the applications. Please be sure to fill out both of the Common Application questions, as well as the Trip Specific Question for each trip for which you wish to apply.

What is the purpose of ASB? How many ASB courses/trips are there?: The mission of Alternative Spring Break is to give trip participants the opportunity to examine the dimensions and urgency of social issues through an educational immersion experience. In 2011-2012, we will be offering 18 trips. Click on the "Courses and Trips" tab above for a description of each trip.; Alternative Spring Break is a service-learning experience. The mandatory one-unit winter quarter directed reading course prepares participants to go out into the field during spring break. During spring break, participants meet with community members and leaders from organizations in the field, gaining incredible first hand knowledge about their topic.
I really want to go on ASB but I can't participate in the Winter Quarter Directed Reading or I won't be able to be there for the entire trip. Am I still eligible to apply?: Students who are unable to participate in a trip's winter quarter directed reading course are ineligible to participate in ASB. As such, students who are abroad during the winter quarter are unfortunately ineligible to apply. Students who are unable to participate in a trip for its entire duration are also ineligible.
What is the structure of the Winter Quarter Directed Reading?: During winter quarter, trip participants take a specialized directed reading course facilitated by the ASB leaders and a faculty advisor. By preparing participants with background knowledge of the individual trip's relevant issues, the 1-unit discussion-based class enhances and deepens the spring break experience.

What will my spring break trip be like?

Each spring break trip is different in structure, content, location, pace, and arrangements (see the "course and trip descriptions" for details on each trip). Please note, however, that no trips stay in five star hotels; the emphasis of the trips is on meeting with and learning from influential community members, forging relationships with leaders in a particular field, and participating in some direct service. The participant fee covers all basic needs, including housing, meals, and local transportation.
How much does ASB cost?: Trip participants agree to pay a $150 participant fee, which includes most expenses (e.g. course materials and housing, food, and local transportation during spring break). Participants may also need to pay for some meals and miscellaneous expenses. If a student participates in a trip requiring air travel, the participant will also pay for airfare. Need-based financial aid is a available (see the next question).
I am concerned about the cost of ASB. Does ASB offer financial aid for participants?: ASB works hard to ensure that finances are not a deterring factor for participants. Participant fee subsidies and airfare subsidies are available on a need-demonstrated basis. ASB works closely with the University's Financial Aid Office to assess each student's financial need. We use our financial aid budget to provide aid to as many participants as possible.

Should you wish to apply for financial aid, please check the appropriate box in the "Logistics" section of the application. This will initiate the financial aid application process. If you are selected as a participant for the ASB program, we will contact you with more details. To obtain further information about financial aid, please contact ASB Financial Manager Sherlene Chatterji, sherlene@stanford.edu.
Which trips will be flying? How much will airfare cost?: Please see the courses and trips page to determine if the trips you are interested in travel by air. Airfare costs will vary for each trip. Please contact the trip leaders of these trips if you have specific airfare questions. Participants purchase their airfare tickets only after confirming with their trip leaders about dates, airports, group rates, etc.
When is spring break? When will ASB begin/end?: This year, spring break will begin on March 24, 2012 and end on March 31, 2012. Trips are typically 6-7 days in length. Accepted applicants should know the exact dates for their trips by the beginning of Winter Quarter.
Are there any prerequisites for applying to ASB?: No! All Stanford students are encouraged to apply; there is no prerequisite of prior public service involvement.
How many students are selected to participate in each ASB course/trip?: A maximum of twelve students are admitted to each trip. Strong applicants who are not admitted to a trip will be placed on a waiting list and will be admitted on a space-available basis.
What is the timeline for the selection process? When will I know whether I have been accepted?: The deadline for applications is Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. We anticipate informing participants of their acceptance status during the week of November 14 (right before Thanksgiving). After you have been notified, you will have approximately one week to decide whether you wish to accept the offer.
How does the ASB selection process work? Do the leaders choose the successful applicants?: Participants are chosen by the course/trip leaders. Leaders review all submitted and complete applications and select participants and alternates. During the selection process, leaders are not given applicant names or financial aid statuses.
Can I apply to more than one ASB course/trip? Do I have to fill out a separate application for each?: You may apply to as many as three ASB courses/trips. To apply, you need to complete the general application as well as respond to the trip-specific question for each trip to which you are applying.
I have so much to say - can I go over the 350 word limit on the application essays?: Please limit yourselves to 350 words per essay. Use the word count feature on a word processor to check the number of words. Trip leaders may choose to disqualify applications that significantly ignore the word limit. Please also save a copy of your responses on your own computer.
I am a past participant of ASB, am I eligible to apply again?: Yes, as a past participant we actively welcome and encourage you to apply for another ASB course and trip. But we ask that you do not apply for the same trip you previously participated in, as we would like to give other students an opportunity to experience it. If you would like to find an avenue to further pursue the ideas presented in your trip, please contact the ASB Coordinators to get more information about other programs we offer, such as the Mini-Grant.
I have more questions, who can I ask?

Executive Director

Sarah Hennessy: sarahh4@stanford.edu

Assistant Directors of Leader Advising:

Rachel Kelley: rkelley7@stanford.edu

Michael Liu: mkliu@stanford.edu

Julia Chang: djchang@stanford.edu

Assistant Diretor of Finance

Sherlene Chatterji: sherlene@stanford.edu

Assistant Director of Communications and Website Design
Stephanie Young: sryoung@stanford.edu

Alternative Spring Break

Stanford University

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