Everything you need for life outside the classroom
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 2027 programs.
March 14 – 20, 2027
Known as the “Birthplace of the American Revolution,” Boston has a rich history filled with collective action and resistance. In the modern day, Massachusetts has maintained a high level of civic engagement, consistently ranking in the top 10 states with the highest voter turnout rates (MIT Elections Performance Index). On this trip, students will learn from the strategies and efforts that have encouraged community members to take action for hundreds of years, while exploring how we can foster change back home as well.
Estimated cost for this trip is approximately $750.
March 15 – 19, 2027
Buffalo Public School students face “sharp disparities in educational outcomes,” as shown by graduation, subject proficiency, and absenteeism rates when compared to county and state averages (Partnership for the Public Good, 2018). Despite the difficulties caused by systemic poverty and segregation, a wide array of nonprofit agencies, school support systems, and community organizations work daily to uplift students both inside and outside of the classroom. Join this trip to learn how you can support educational equity via community organizing and empowerment with an asset-focused lens.
There is NO cost for participants on this trip!
March 14 – 20, 2027
According to Maryland’s 2025 Housing Needs Assessment, underproduction of housing units has led to high cost burdens, with the State needing approximately 590,000 new units to accommodate its citizens. In addition to the unprecedented rise in homelessness nationwide (National Alliance to End Homelessness), this housing instability continues to affect individual and community health, safety, and wellbeing. By working with Habitat for Humanity, members of this trip will learn how advocacy, education, and hands-on builds can bring people together to create homes, communities, and hope.
Estimated cost for this trip is approximately $750.
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 Open on August 24, 2026
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