Alternative Break
Join the Movement
Our 2023 Alternative Break applications have closed. Please check back, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or join our email list to stay updated on future Alternative Break opportunities.
Alternative Break is a national program that empowers students to progress from members of their community to active citizens through education, direct service and reflection that focuses on social issues. It’s a dynamic experiential learning opportunity that provides students with avenues of self-discovery and social awareness through service, collaborative group activities, travel and cultural exchange.
Alternative Break at the College follows guidelines set forth by Break Away®, a national nonprofit organization, which provides a curriculum and network for over 100 affiliate schools and more than 400 nonprofit community partners.
The Center for Civic Engagement hosts domestic and international Alternative Break service immersion trips each year that engage students in direct service and intentional reflection during academic breaks. A snapshot of recent trips include exploring cultural preservation through drum circles of the Quileute Tribe in La Push, Washington, building sustainable and affordable housing in Charlotte, North Carolina, and actively engaging in conservation through education in Zakynthos, Greece.
No matter the destination, our Alternative Break students share common goals - to broaden the scope of their College of Charleston experience and gain a lifelong passion for civic engagement. Visit the links for more information:
- 2023 Alternative Break Trips
- Alternative Break FAQs
- Alternative Break Site Leaders
Visit, call or email us today to learn more about Alternative Break and how the CCE helps students do well by doing good.
Center for Civic Engagement
Lightsey Center
160 Calhoun Street, Suite 203
Charleston, SC 29401
volunteer@cofc.edu
843.953.5838