About this Experience

Amidst a world grappling with a growing displacement crisis, and with approximately 60,000 refugees calling Utah home, this break focuses on exploring and learning about the myriad ways local agencies and organizations support our new neighbors. Throughout this experience, participants will engage deeply with the resettlement efforts led by organizations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Catholic Community Services (CCS). By immersing ourselves in their work, we aim to understand the challenges faced by refugees in integrating into a new community, as well as the crucial services and essential support systems provided to foster their successful resettlement. Our break emphasizes hands-on learning through direct interaction with these organizations, fostering empathy and understanding while contributing meaningfully to refugee advocacy efforts in Salt Lake City. We aim to deepen our understanding and contribute to ongoing refugee advocacy efforts in our society, fostering lasting reflection and solidarity that endure well beyond the conclusion of this weekend break.

Cost: $150

Dates: Friday, March 7th - Sunday, March 9th

About this Experience

Housing is a critical issue in the U.S., driven by skyrocketing rents, high unemployment from the COVID-19 pandemic, deep-rooted social components, and other inter/intra-connected factors. During this break, we will collaborate with community partners in Seattle, a city with the third-highest homelessness rate in the U.S. Our objective is to learn how to enhance the lives of those dealing with housing insecurity and to prevent others from facing similar challenges. Additionally, we aim to broaden participants' understanding of potential future careers in the field of housing justice.

Cost: $535

Dates: Sunday, March 9th - Saturday, March 15th

About this Experience

During the Spring 2025 Immigration break, we will work with community partners in the San Diego area to increase our understanding of life in the United States as an immigrant. We will learn from a variety of community partners who will showcase different ways to engage, broadening the skills and knowledge we bring back home. Our goal is that every participant challenges their understanding of what it means to be an immigrant and the experiences they face. We will explore borders, policing, migration policies, and the overall criminalization of immigrant communities. Through this process, participants should leave this break with a deeper and holistic understanding of immigrant communities and why they play an important role in our society.

Cost: $535

Dates: Sunday, March 9th - Saturday, March 15th

About this Experience

Marine ecosystems are the lifeblood of our living planet. As the largest ecosystem on Earth, the ocean not only provides us with clean air to breathe but also regulates our climate, supplies sustenance, and is home to thousands and thousands of species. We are all intrinsically tied to the ocean, no matter where we live – be it near a beach, in the countryside, or the middle of a bustling city. Recognizing the ocean's significance and our shared responsibility in its conservation is essential. This Alternative Break will delve into the effects of waste on ecosystems, explore policies and actions to promote a more sustainable future, and reconsider the evolving relationship between humans and nature throughout history, as well as our place within the larger ecosystem. The ocean profoundly affects our lives every single day, and we must take care of it because it is a vital part of all of us.

Cost: $535

Dates: Sunday, March 9th - Saturday, March 15th

About this Experience

This break will acknowledge the crucial factors that shape educational access and its quality. We'll be visiting Los Angeles to explore the challenges faced by the educational system and the communities they serve. We will learn about the historical and social influences that have resulted in underfunded schools and the school-to-prison pipeline. Our community partners will share strategies to address these challenges and improve educational opportunities for all. By learning from these organizations, we can start to understand; the reasons individuals may follow a certain path, clarify misconceptions, emphasize the importance of prioritizing education in national advocacy efforts, and explore ways to support students facing these challenges.

Cost: $535

Dates: Sunday, March 9th - Saturday, March 15th

About this Experience (You must be 18 or over to participate in this break)

Sex and Healthy relationships is a critical and sensitive issue. Participants on this break will learn and engage with sensitive subjects including sex, rape, human trafficking, interpersonal violence, sex work, survivors and more. Please consider your personal comfort level in these topics prior to applying to this break. During this break, we will immerse in communities affected by sexual violence including women’s shelters, meeting sex workers and sex worker coalitions, navigating healthcare for those affected with sexually transmitted diseases and discussing how sexual violence is addressed on college campuses. Sexual relationships are integrated into the nature of a human being, therefore this break will examine ways to work towards healthy relationships in our own lives. This Alternative Break will aim to deconstruct this issue with caution and an open mind. This AB aims to create a safe space to reflect, engage, and learn about this social justice issue, so join us to learn more.

Cost: Free (This is a partnered break with the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. You must hold an affiliation with their office to attend as they will be covering the cost of the break).

Dates: Sunday, March 9th - Saturday, March 15th

About this Experience

Cost: $535

Dates: Sunday, March 9th - Saturday, March 15th

About this Experience

Civilization and the growth of urban areas coexist with our natural environments, so it is our responsibility as civilians to ensure sustainable coexistence. The presence of urban areas has led to various environmental challenges. Addressing these issues is crucial to foster a harmonious relationship between urban development and nature. Through education and hands-on experiences with the community in Portland, the Urban Environmentalism break will discover the challenges and solutions for more sustainable cities. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between urban development and the environment. 

Cost: $535

Dates: Sunday, March 9th - Saturday, March 15th

The Alternative Breaks fall selection process is application based only (not first-come, first-served). The spring 2025 participant and discount application will become available on November 4th, 2024 and the deadline to apply is Sunday, January 19th at 11:59 pm.  

These are the expectations to which the Bennion Center holds all of its Alternative Breaks participants. Failure to adhere the Alternative Breaks and University of Utah policies will result in expulsion from the program and forfeiture of deposit and/or entire trip cost.

All participants are expected to:

• Attend all pre-departure meetings and other break activities and trainings (approximately 2 hours total) (Week of February 18th & Week of March 3rd)
• Attend an Ethical Community Engagement workshop in preparation for their AB experience (approximately 1.5 hours total) (Week of February 24th)
• Provide policy information for any personal medical insurance they will have for the duration of their break in the event of a medical emergency. Medical insurance is not a requirement to participate in Alternative Breaks; a secondary group insurance is purchased to cover those who do not have medical insurance.
• Be financially responsible for any incidental personal expenses incurred during the experience (i.e. souvenirs)
• Participate in all break activities including work/service projects, team-building exercises, and other activities as determined by group leaders
• Abide by all University of Utah policies and procedures as they apply to the Alternative Breaks experience
• Remain alcohol- and drug-free from date of departure until time of return
• Participate in a post-break Reorientation event on Friday, April 4th, 2025 from 4:00 pm -6:00 pm (loction TBA).

Applicants will be notified whether or not they have been selected by Monday, January 27th. At this time, applicants who have been selected will have until Thursday, January 30th at 11:59 pm to reserve their spot with a $100.00 down payment. Payment method will be available online. Failure to place a down payment will result in forfeiture of your spot. Down Payments are non-refundable.

Payment Plans: Special arrangements may be made concerning a payment plan for the down payment/total payment. Please contact alternativebreaks@utah.edufor more information.

Total costs must be paid by Wednesday, February 19th at 11:59 pm.

If you cancel your reservation on an experience after Thursday, February 19th you are responsible for the entire cost of the experience. Non-compliance is subject to a hold being placed on your University records.

Expenses covered by your payment include all community engagement activities, transportation, meals, and lodging throughout the experience.

For any questions or concerns please email alternative breaks@utah.edu