[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”rgba(0,54,130,0.07)” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”400ms” custom_css_free_form=”.et_pb_image_0_tb_body{|| display: none !important;||}||||blockquote {|| background-color: #fff;|| border-left: 5px solid #007BFF; /* Blue accent border */|| margin: 20px 0; /* Spacing around the blockquote */|| padding: 20px; /* Inner padding */|| box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); /* Subtle shadow for a modern look */|| border-radius: 10px; /* Rounded corners */||}||||blockquote h1 {|| font-size: 1.5rem; /* Adjust font size */|| color: #333; /* Darker font color for better contrast */|| text-align: center; /* Center-align the text */|| font-family: ‘Georgia’, serif; /* Elegant font choice */|| line-height: 1.4; /* Improve readability */|| margin: 0; /* Remove extra margin */||}||.et_pb_section.et_pb_section_0.et_section_regular {|| padding-top: 0px;||}||.et_pb_row.et_pb_row_1_tb_body {|| padding-top: 0px;||}||ow.et_pb_row_0 {|| padding-top: 0px;||}||||||/* styling tests */||||.et_pb_fullwidth_menu {|| background: #ffffff;|| box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);||}||||.et_pb_fullwidth_menu ul li a {|| color: #000 !important;|| font-weight: 600;|| transition: color 0.3s ease;||}||||.et_pb_fullwidth_menu ul li a:hover {|| color: #0066cc !important; /* Accent hover color */||}||||.et_pb_fullwidth_menu .et_pb_menu__logo img {|| max-height: 50px;|| transition: transform 0.3s ease;||}||||.et_pb_fullwidth_menu:hover .et_pb_menu__logo img {|| transform: scale(1.03);||}||||||.et_pb_image .et_pb_image_wrap img {|| border-radius: 30px;|| box-shadow: 0 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);|| transition: transform 0.3s ease;||}||||.et_pb_image .et_pb_image_wrap img:hover {|| transform: translateY(-3px);||}||||||/* transitions */||a, .et_pb_button, .et_pb_more_button {|| transition: color 0.3s ease, background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease;||}||||a:hover {|| color: #0066cc;||}||||/* headings */||.et_pb_heading_container h1,||.et_pb_heading_container h2,||.et_pb_heading_container h3 {|| font-weight: 700;|| text-transform: uppercase;|| letter-spacing: 1px;|| color: #003087 !important;||}||||||||/* background enhances */||||.et_pb_section_0.et_pb_section {|| background-color: #00368212 !important;|| border-radius: 18px;|| background: #fff;|| /* border-radius: 8px; */|| box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);|| transition: box-shadow 0.3s ease;||}||||.et_pb_section_0.et_pb_section:hover {|| box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);||}||||/* stop capitalization of heading */||.et_pb_module_heading {|| text-transform: none !important;||}||||.et_pb_row_1_tb_body{ || display: none||}||||.et_pb_row_0_tb_body {|| padding: 0 !important;||}||||.et_pb_row_2_tb_body {|| padding: 0;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|-41px|auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://news.memphis.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Alternative-Break-Experience_Destin_Sharing-is-Caring.jpeg” alt=”Man holds steering wheel to driving simulation as students watch.” title_text=”Alternative Break Experience_Destin_Sharing is Caring” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”|auto||auto|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Students at the University of Memphis have a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in civic engagement through the Alternative Break Experience.
Housed in the UofM Center for Service Learning and Volunteerism, the Alternative Break Experience is available to students as domestic trips in the United States and as an international trip opportunity during the summer. Alternative Break Experiences are student-led, allowing students to grow in their leadership skills.
“My favorite thing about the program is seeing our students find new passions and deepen the interests they already hold,” Rosa Perez, coordinator for the Center for Service Learning and Volunteerism said. “The program allows them to connect not only with different non-profit organizations, peers and staff but it allows our students to start a conversation about the impact we have in our communities.” Perez said these conversations often lead to students becoming more involved when they return to Memphis.
This year a total of 35 students have attended a trip. Each trip revolves around a particular city and a specific need within that city, voted on by the students who are attending the trip.
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“These trips are student led which means our student leaders get to pick a theme they are passionate about and build a trip around it,” Perez said. “They [students] work closely together with me and their staff advisor to go through different leadership trainings and follow a schedule to ensure we find meaningful community service opportunities in a different city.”
The four trips this year were to Atlanta, Indianapolis, Ind., New Orleans, La., and Destin, Fla. Students participated in various initiatives including addressing food and housing insecurity, environmentalism, urban community development and youth empowerment. Student participants receive 25 hours of community service after completing the trip.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”195px” custom_margin=”-34px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”94.9%” min_height=”250.4px” custom_margin=”||-4px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]Nadia Warren, a senior majoring in Professional Studies with a concentration in Nonprofit Development & Administration with a minor in American Sign Language, attended the ResLife trip to Destin, Fla. where she partnered with local nonprofits assisting them with improvement in working conditions so that they could better serve their community.
“My favorite thing about the trip was getting to connect with the other participants and really bonding with them through doing something important,” she said.
After surveying past student participants, a majority said that the program helped them to develop connections, feel a better sense of belonging at the UofM, positively impacted them and helped them grow as a person and encouraged them to find ways to serve within the Memphis community.
“In addition to volunteering, we also take the opportunity to know the city and do some team building by going to a city attraction and then at the end of the week we go out and enjoy a dinner to celebrate and reflect on the impact we have made,” Perez said.
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“Serving others also teaches you a lot about yourself and I can’t think of a downside to going on one of these trips.”
– Nadi Warren
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”139.4px” custom_margin=”-66px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”||16px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”1px||32px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]Nadia said, “For other students considering participating I would encourage them to step out of their comfort zone. Serving others also teaches you a lot about yourself and I can’t think of a downside to going on one of these trips. Mine was an incredible experience.”
The program requires a $150 dollar fee which covers transportation, lodging and food. Students interested in applying as a participant can visit: Center for Service Learning and Volunteerism – Tiger Zone or email Rosa Perez at rperez@memphis.edu for more information.
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