It’s never too early to start thinking about what you want to do this spring break. As you run down the list of ideas of how to spend your several days off, keep in mind that one of these options is an alternative spring break trip. 

These experiences offer you the opportunity to do something different during your vacation: something meaningful, fun, and productive.

Alternative spring break trips abroad are designed for either high school or college-aged students and allow you to learn about another culture, participate on a sustainable volunteer project, and have an in-country adventure. 

GVI offers alternative spring break projects doing marine conservation in Mexico or community development projects in Costa Rica, for example.

Here are five main reasons why you should join an alternative spring break program in 2020 

1) It makes you stand out

Whether you’re applying for college, an internship, or for employment, an alternative spring break trip with a quality volunteer organisation will make you stand out on your resume. 

It will give you valuable experience working with others, travelling in another country, and will give you a chance to grow as an individual and a global citizen. You will build your network working with our knowledgeable global colleagues.

2) It’s an adventure

An alternative spring break consists of a fun variety of experiential education activities. You will learn about a new place, engage in language and culture, and participate in a number of outdoor/adventure activities. 

You will also get to visit beautiful, remote areas with our trained professionals, who will guide you through the new terrain.

Further reading: Ten tips to make language learning fun 

3) You will gain practical skills

Going on an alternative spring break will be a positive step for your personal and professional development. 

You will develop soft skills associated with teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, adaptability, and flexibility. 

These skills are key for future interviews, either academic or for employment, and are critical to your future professional life.

4) You can get a deeper travel experience

You will be able to engage with a new culture, new ideas, and discover new abilities in yourself. You may even realise something that will help shape your future, like what college you want to attend, what area you want to study, or how you want to spend the next few months in preparation for those next steps.

Further reading: Six ways to deepen your travel experiences 

5) You will make an impact

If you join an organisation that runs quality, sustainable volunteer projects, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development and empowerment of a local community. 

GVI runs projects geared towards achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

This spring break, you can take more control of your future and choose an option that will give you an unforgettable experience. Career development has never felt so fun.

Who knows, you may love your alternative spring break program so much that you decide to travel and learn some more through a service-learning program, an international internship, or a gap year.

Do you feel ready to start making an impact? Find out more about GVI’s international, award-winning volunteering programs and internships, and choose from community development, animal care, teaching, women’s empowerment, and conservation projects worldwide.