The University of Idaho Alternative Service Break coordinators selected teams for winter service trips to Quito, Ecuador and Costa Rica Wednesday.
“We are really looking for students who are just passionate for service, and really ready to take their community service to a whole different level,” said Taylor Reed, ASB student intern. “Students who are just eager to know a different culture, and really eager to learn a lot, and hopefully bring that back to the university.”
ASB intern Karen Pohl said the trips emphasize social justice issues, such as poverty, education and environmental sustainability.
“We really focus on reflection times,” Pohl said. “Times we can dig deeper in to the experiences the student is having.”
ASB is a division of the ASUI Center for Volunteerism and Social Action that focuses on planning and leading service projects.
Bruce Mann, volunteer center coordinator, said while the upcoming winter trips were planned before the fall semester, the student coordinators will be more involved with the planning process for the spring and winter 2012 trips.
First they chose what social justice issues they want the students to learn about, Mann said. Then they contact United Planet, an international nonprofit organization that takes care of the international travel arrangements, and gives them participation criteria and a price range.
“We look for a community need,” Mann said. “We make sure it is a mutually beneficial project.”
Mann said they start with four or five options and then research the needs, accommodations and safety of the location. Cost is also a factor to be considered.
“We want to give students a deep international experience but not take away from other trips,” Mann said. “Every dollar spent needs to be sent to a good place.”
Student fees fund ASB, with every UI student paying $5. Most of that money covers about two-thirds of trip costs.
“All the students can apply, so it’s … a very fair system,” Reed said. “We don’t say ‘Only this living group can apply,’ or ‘Only this class.'”
Participating students pay $1,200 each for the upcoming winter trips.
“We’ve heard some students say ‘This is coming from my pocket, like I’ve saved up for this. This is something I feel really strongly about, and I want to be responsible for it,'” Reed said. “I’ve heard of people fundraising. One of my friends says ‘Well, I’m gonna ask my family. I’m gonna call up some relatives, and hopefully they’ll help me out.'”
For the first time this year, students may also apply for two need-based scholarships offered by the Student Engagement and Leadership Programs Office fund.
Because the cost is often prohibitive, ASB is planning a domestic winter trip this year that will cost between $400 and $500, and at least one in-state spring break trip.
The trips will be locally oriented and within driving range, Pohl said.
“But far enough away to give people the chance to go and have the same team experience,” Pohl said. “Not just ‘Oh, I’ll go home tonight.'”
Reed said they hope to have spring trip applications available by the end of the fall semester.