FAQs
What is FAB?
Florida Alternative Breaks (FAB) is a student run service organization that is based in the Center for Leadership and Service in the Dean of Students office at the University of Florida. We send out week long community service trips during academic breaks addressing different social issues to areas within the United States and internationally.
How did FAB originate?
FAB sent out its first service trip in 1992 in response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Andrew in South Florida. Within the past 15 years FAB has increasingly grown into a diverse and amazing organization.
When are the trips?
FAB trips occur during summer, winter, and spring breaks. This year FAB is sending out 15 spring break trips, 3 of which are international, 4 winter trips and for the first time ever 2 weekend trips.
What do these trips do?
While service varies for each trip issue, all trips provide students with experiences they cannot find on the university campus. Trips are coordinated to work with specific volunteer organizations related to their trip issue. Trips have volunteered in health facilities, planted trees, rebuilt homes, constructed playgrounds, and most importantly, built relationships with those whom they are helping. In addition to active service, participants are involved in educating their community and themselves about their trip issue.
Where do these trips go?
Trips travel to many different cities within the United States and internationally. However, FAB does not disclose the location of the trip until after site leaders and participants apply because we want applicants to choose their trip based on the issue they are passionate about and not the location. Some past locations trips have gone are New Orleans, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and countries like Costa Rica.
How can I get involved?
There are four ways to participate:
- As a Participant: Apply to be part of a group that goes on a community service trip during an academic break. Participants will be placed on a specific trip with 11 other participants and 2 Site Leaders. Once placed on a trip, participants will attend weekly/biweekly meetings with their trip to educate themselves about their issue, establish fundraisers, and participate in local service projects to prepare for their trip.
- As a Site Leader: 2 Site Leaders are placed on a specific trip and coordinate trip logistics, site development, participant recruitment, and program planning. The role of a Site Leader is a time intensive and extremely rewarding endeavor. Site Leaders commit to the year-long development of the program and participate in a training program. Site Leader Applications will be available on-line at appropriate times.
- As an Executive Board Member: Board members are students who oversee the entire Alternative Break Program. He or she makes a year-long commitment to the program and undergo an extensive training. He or she is responsible for recruitment and training of Site Leaders and assist leaders with the resources necessary for them to do their jobs. Applications will be available on-line at the appropriate times.
- As a Donor: Financial and in-kind donations are necessary to make the Florida Alternative Break Program possible. For more information on how to help University of Florida students serve the community through this program, please contact us.
How much do the trips cost? What does the cost cover?
All the budgets are calculated together, then averaged out in a formula to get the cost per person. The estimated price for domestic trips for the 2008-2009 school year is $225-275 per person, however, rising gas costs may change this figure. The estimated price for international trips for the 2007-2008 school year was $1000-1500 per person which includes the cost of the plane ticket. The estimated price for the weekend trips for the 2007-2008 school year was $75-125 per person. The cost covers housing, meals, and transportation for the week of the trip. There is potential to lower trip costs due to successful fundraising.
How will we get there?
All trips travel in mini-vans or 12-passenger vans, either from UF transportation or from a local rental dealership. International trips will fly. Each trip has several drivers. We encourage participants with good driving records to volunteer as part of the driving team. Volunteering as a driver, however, is completely optional, and no one is forced to drive.
Can I participate in more than one trip?
As a participant, you are allowed to participate in one trip per academic break. As a site leader, you are allowed to site lead only 1 trip per year (excluding summer trips).
How can I learn more?
Feel free to contact the Director Nicole Azzi (ntazzi@ufl.edu) or any of the Executive Board members with further questions! Also, don't hesitate to drop by the Center for Leadership and Service in the Dean of Students Office located in Peabody Hall to ask about FAB!