University of Delaware Alternative Breaks
What are Alternative Breaks?
Alternative breaks are immersive service opportunities that offer students a break from their academic routines to engage in service and learn about new communities. Students also make new friends and create lasting memories with teammates.
In pre-departure preparation, participants learn about the communities they are serving Post-program reorientation allows participants to reflect on their alternative break experience and how it will shape their future.
University of Delaware Alternative Breaks (UDAB)’s mission as an alternative breaks program is to create a variety of issue-based, service-learning experiences during spring and winter breaks.
We strive to be accessible to all undergraduate university students as both a facilitator of these break programs and as an advisor for other student groups that would like to plan, participate in and reflect on service.
Winter Alternative Break in Puerto Rico!
Disaster Relief and Environmental Justice
Community Collaborations International, Puerto Rico
Join other service-minded individuals and apply for UDAB’s annual winter service program! Students will travel to Puerto Rico during winter session to work on community service projects valuable to the local communities. Get ready for one of the best experiences college can offer as you bond with your peers and have the opportunity to serve in a beautiful place! Most of all, participants will leave Puerto Rico feeling inspired to make tangible sustainability-based change in the UD community. The program cost is yet to be finalized, but will most likely range between $1600 – $1800, before financial aid. The fee covers all travel, food and housing.
2026 Winter Break Program Dates:
Thursday, January 15–
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Spring Programs
2026 Spring Programs
Saturday, March 21–Saturday, March 28, 2026
Applications are now open.
Appalachia Service Project
Jonesville, VA
Appalachia Service Project works to eradicate substandard conditions of housing in Central Appalachia and to help rebuild communities after damaging floods in recent years. ASP provides one of the most rewarding structured service opportunities in the nation — bringing thousands of volunteers from around the country to rural Central Appalachia to repair homes for low-income families.
Estimated Cost: $650*
Bread for the City
Washington, DC
The mission of Bread for the City is to help Washington, DC residents living with low income to develop their power to determine the future of their own communities. They provide food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services to reduce the burden of poverty.
Estimated Cost: $600*
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Annapolis, MD
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation strives to save the bay and keep it saved. Through natural filters on both the land and in the water, resilience will be provided to the entire Chesapeake Bay system and serve as a habitat for terrestrial and aquatic life. Volunteers will grow oysters, plant trees or learn advocacy skills to help create a cleaner, more sustainable Chesapeake Bay.
Estimated Cost: $450*
Gwen’s Girls
Pittsburgh, PA
Gwen’s Girls is an agency that offers a range of services for at-risk females. It is designed to help young girls and their families address issues such as poverty, racism and violence through a holistic, gender-specific approach. The organization aims to help girls develop self-esteem, resilience and skills to become self-sufficient members of society.
Estimated Cost: $475*
Habitat for Humanity
Location TBD
Habitat for Humanity partners with people in your community, and all over the world, to help them build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With your support, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and for their families.
Estimated Cost: $500*
Habitat for Humanity
New Castle, DE
Join us for our first LOCAL UDAB program! Habitat for Humanity partners with people in your community, and all over the world, to help them build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.
Students participating in this local program will stay in their on-campus or local housing and travel together to the work site every day.
Estimated Cost: $450*
* Please note these are price estimates that can increase or decrease based on the number of participants.
FAQs
How do I apply?
Once this year’s application is available, you can visit application page through the Center for Global Programs and Services platform to apply. If you have not applied before, the link will take you to a new application. If you begin an application and leave it in draft, when you visit the link again, it will take you to your dashboard. Your existing draft application should be listed there.
How much does it cost?
The Winter Puerto Rico program cost will range between $1,500 to $1,800 before financial aid/grants. The Spring programs will range from $450 to $650 before financial aid/grants. Site leaders for the programs will communicate final costs (before financial aid) to perspective participants. All applicants are charged a $50 application fee, however, financial aid can also be applied to this charge.
What is included in the program cost?
Everything! All lodging, food, transportation, supplies and partner fees are included in the program cost. You would only need to cover elective personal purchases.
How do I apply for financial aid and grants?
You don’t! All participants are considered for financial aid based on their FAFSA. A percentage of your program charges, according to your level of need determined by your FAFSA, will be covered by grant funds.
If you need additional assistance after your grant funds have been applied, or do not have a FAFSA on file with UD, contact our program advisor, Amelia Carte at acarte@udel.edu.
Please note: UDAB scholarship funds can only be used once a year. So, if you participate in, and accept scholarship funds for, the Winter UDAB program, you will not be offered scholarship funds for the Spring UDAB program that year.
Are there other ways to reduce the fee?
There sure are! UDAB works to support all participants in fundraising efforts through various events and activities. In 2023, UDAB had a successful crowdfunding campaign on UD’s HenFunder platform.
What happens if I am accepted into a program, but can no longer participate?
Students who can no longer attend their UDAB Program and would like to request that they not be charged for their program must adhere to the following policy. If a replacement can be found for their spot on a program, they will not be charged unless there are unavoidable penalties (ticket name change, etc). All students requesting a charge reversal must write a letter to the program advisor, Amelia Carte, of 200 words or less explaining why a reversal should be granted.
If approved, all scholarships are revoked and fee reversals will be applied according to this schedule:
- 60+ days before departure, responsible for non-refundable program fee
- 59 – 30 days before departure, responsible for half of trip costs and non-refundable program fee
- <29 days before departure no refund, fully responsible for trip costs
Extenuating circumstances that prevent you from fully participating will be considered.
Can I apply to both a winter and a spring program?
Yes! Please do! You may participate in programs during both breaks.
Please note: UDAB scholarship funds can only be used once a year. So, if you participate in, and accept scholarship funds for, the Winter UDAB program, you will not be offered scholarship funds for the Spring UDAB program that year.
How do I get more involved in UDAB?
There are numerous ways to get more involved!
- After participating in a program, you can apply for UDAB Leadership (applications are typically released in late April).
- Apply to participate in more programs in the upcoming fall semester.
- Participate in UDAB’s various days of service and active citizenship events.
Email bluehenbreaks@udel.edu for details about these opportunities.
Participant Testimonials
My experience with UDaB has been phenomenal, since it opened new opportunities to become more invested in helping members of the community. It allowed me to strengthen my communication and leadership skills when functioning as a member of the team.
UD’s Alternative Breaks was a transformative experience and has highlighted the importance of service and community, and opened my eyes to different perspectives and issues. I loved how hands on this program is, and how great of a community we built together.
I really can’t put it into words adequately how well regarded the University of Delaware students/staff are here in New Bern. The community looks forward to seeing them year after year.
