Alternative Breaks

The Alternative Breaks Program began in 2008 at Iowa State University. This Student Engagement program gives teams of students the opportunity to take part in service in communities across the United States during both Fall and Spring break. Students engage in short-term service with community agencies and learn about various social issues within the community.

Get Started

If you are interested in participating in a service trip or want to learn more, you can fill out an application on the Alternative Breaks website at https://studentengagement.iastate.edu/alternative-breaks, or reach out to altbreaks@iastate.edu for more information!

Opportunity Type

  • Campus Leadership
  • Community Outreach and Projects
  • Course
  • Service Learning
  • Study Abroad
  • Volunteering

Skills and Competencies

  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Creative Problem-Solving
  • Intercultural Fluency
  • Leadership
  • Personal Development
  • Professional Development

Eligible Majors

  • Agricultural and Life Sciences Education
  • Agriculture and Life Sciences Exploration
  • Agricultural Communication
  • Agricultural and Rural Policy Studies
  • Agricultural Business
  • Agricultural Studies
  • Agricultural Systems Technology
  • Agronomy
  • Animal Ecology
  • Animal Science
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Culinary Food Science
  • Dairy Science
  • Diet and Exercise
  • Dietetics
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Food Science
  • Forestry
  • Genetics
  • Global Resource Systems
  • Horticulture
  • Industrial Technology
  • International Agriculture
  • Microbiology
  • Nursing
  • Nutritional Science
  • Seed Science

For Students In

  • First year
  • Second year
  • Third year
  • Fourth year and beyond

Semester Offered

  • Fall
  • Spring

Digital Badges Available

  • Service Impact

Who to Contact

Alternative Breaks