ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK (ASB)

Looking to make a difference while having fun?

Alternative Spring Break trips not only provide the opportunity for rich cross-cultural interaction but also allow students to develop greater self-awareness, learn about other countries and the unique challenges they face, while reflecting on their own role in the global community.

Past Trips

Nepal

In March 2008, the inaugural ASB trip saw 17 Education City students travel to Nepal.  The primary service project involved building a wall around a school playground for the mountain village of Dhampus outside Pokhara.  Other trip highlights included visiting religious and cultural sites in the capital of Kathmandu, whitewater rafting on the Trisuli River, as well as an elephant safari through the jungle of Chitwan National Park. 

Cambodia

In March 2009, Qatar Foundation Campus Life initiated a partnership with Reach Out To Asia (www.reachouttoasia.org) and led a service-learning trip for 17 Education City students to Cambodia.  There the service project focused on outreach to the Working for Children orphanage outside Siem Reap.  EC students led fun and educational activities for the children as well as constructed a fence around the property of the orphanage and prepared several large garden areas for planting.  Other trip highlights included visiting the amazing historical temple complex of Angkor, the floating village of Tonle Sap, and a countryside bike tour. 

Indonesia

In March 2010, Qatar Foundation Campus Life and Reach Out To Asia led 18 Education City students to Indonesia.  Based in Jogjakarta, the group would travel one hour by bus to the SMKN 1 senior secondary vocational school in rural Bayat.  There EC students led workshops on subjects such as computer and writing skills and helped to plant an organic garden on school grounds.  Trip highlights also included visiting the ancient Buddhist Borobudur Temple as well as a cultural and historical countryside bike tour where participants had the opportunity to plow and plant a rice field.