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Alternative Breaks
Whether it's working in community gardens around Buffalo, NY or teaching English to children in the Dominican Republic, UB students are making a positive global impact.
Alternative Break programs let you volunteer and have unique learning opportunities during your winter or spring break. By spending time immersed in a new community, you’ll learn about your role as a global citizen, make new friends and connections, and discover how you can become an agent of change.
After your trip, you’ll be able to share the lessons you learned with your classmates and continue volunteering in the local community.
The Student Engagement office offers Alternative Break Trips that engage students in direct service to address community needs. Each trip will focus on a social justice issue and allow students to learn about themselves and others while volunteering locally, nationally, and internationally. Trips may vary year by year depending on the availability of community partners and the prevalence of social justice issues to be addressed.
Below are descriptions of the trips for the 2026 programs.
January 11 – 17, 2026
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Community Resilience Estimates (2023), 82.4% of Puerto Rico’s population faces social vulnerability to external stressors or disasters, compared to the national average of 65.1%. Despite this, the adaptive, knowledgeable, and community-centered approach of local leaders on the island has shaped remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Team members on this trip will learn how these efforts create sustainable and equitable change for all residents, as well as ways to carry these lessons forward in their home communities.
Estimated cost for this trip is around $1,500.
March 16 – 20, 2026
Erie County, where Buffalo is located, receives over 1/3 of the total refugee flow into New York state. Refugee communities heavily contribute to the city’s economic growth, cultural diversity, and quality of life; however, they face a variety of challenges as well, such as limited affordable housing, language barriers, and a lack of basic infrastructure for New Americans. Join this team to learn about the assets of Buffalo’s refugee communities, as well as ways to better support this growing population locally, nationally, and internationally.
There is NO cost for participants on this trip!
March 15 – 21, 2026
As the home of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and other notable American Revolutionary sites, Philadelphia has been a cornerstone of historical civic engagement. Participants will learn about critical challenges facing its communities, interact with local leaders, and engage with short-term projects that work to enact positive social change. Join this team to develop the skills and connections necessary to become a life-long active citizen.
Estimated cost for this trip is approximately $625.
March 15 – 21, 2026
In 2024, the Oregon Food Bank Network saw a record number of visits to food assistance sites, with 91 million meals’ worth of free food provided in total. The rising cost of living, climate change, and systemic inequities contribute to the hunger crisis across the country, with many minoritized communities being disproportionately affected. UB staff and students on this Alternative Break will learn more about the causes of food insecurity, and how local advocacy, community organizing, and hands-on efforts are fighting for food justice in the Pacific Northwest every day.
Estimated cost for this trip is approximately $1,100.
Apply for an Alternative Break
There are two (2) steps to applying for an Alternative Break program:
- Complete the Alternative Break Program Application on UBLinked
- Complete a interview with staff and student leaders for the trips
The application on UBLinked will prompt you for some basic information and ask that you provide the name and contact information of one (1) reference person who can speak to your interest in volunteering, personal commitment to giving back to the community, and your overall character. Eligible students will be emailed to schedule a interview.
Applications are Open!
Applications for the 2026 Alternative Break Trips are now open! Deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 15, at 11:30 p.m.
Who Can Go?
Any UB student can apply for the Alternative Break program. Each Alternative Break trip typically has 8 student participants, two student team leaders, and two staff advisors. Students travel as a group to their specified destination with the staff advisers.
How Much Do These Trips Cost?
The cost for Alternative Break trips ranges widely depending on the trip. The cost per trip is mostly determined based on location and transportation needs. Applicants can request an estimate from the Student Engagement office to determine if the trip is affordable for them. Please note that we are only able to provide estimates when they are available - the actual cost of a trip will still vary.
Students who are accepted on trips will receive a detailed estimate of the cost of their trip and can discuss financial options with our team then. Financial support may be available; please contact the Student Engagement office for more information.
For more services and opportunities like this:
Student Life
University at Buffalo
150 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Email: Contact form
Phone: 716-645-6469