Tonight's blog is just meant to reflect upon your class experience as a whole. Please let us know what you thought of the course and what you thought of the presentations tonight!
Thanks for your hard work this season!
Julia, Stephanie, Max and Hannah
I loved hearing about everyone’s trip tonight! It gives me a warm toasty feeling inside to know that Alternative Breaks is providing such meaningful opportunities! I am intrigued to know more about the Freedom House incident, the Audubon society group sounds like they’ve become fast friends, and it’s great to hear about all the things that were accomplished to help others on these breaks. I think everyone would agree that there was a palpable energy and sense of kinship in the air in our last class; some great friendships have formed as a result of these winter break trips!
ReplyDeleteAnd my own group is no exception. There is such a noticeable difference between our interactions in the previous classes, although friendly, and the bonds we have now. I had such a great time with everyone in my group and I’m glad that we already have plans for a Sylas and Maddy’s reunion in a few weeks!
I feel a little remorseful about our presentation, however, since I feel like 1) we sounded like slackers, and 2) we sounded like we were just there to site-see. Neither of these were the case, it was just a matter of what we had pictures of and our attempt to make a shorter presentation in the interest of time. We all had meaningful experiences, and although we didn’t do manual labor for 10 hours a day, we still positively impacted the site we were working with. When part of our itinerary got cancelled, we even ended up helping out the Southeast Nashville Recovery Center with flood relief work one afternoon. I just felt that I had to clear that up.
As for the classes as a whole, I definitely think they helped prepare us for our breaks. Of course, actually doing something is very different from hearing about it. But I think the classes especially equipped us to go in with an open mind and with our eyes out for social injustices.
I think it is safe to say that we all had amazing experiences that we won’t ever forget.
Tonight's class was so rewarding! I loved hearing about all the trips, and it was so heartwarming to see all the friendships that have been made as a result of Alternative Breaks. I was also extremely good to see my group members after almost an entire week without them (and let me tell you, it was a LONG week). I feel like we're a family now! One thing I noticed while watching the other presentations is that alternative breaks are so varied. Each group has a completely different living situation and volunteer situation, and that's one of the many things I love about Alternative Breaks.
ReplyDeleteI found it hilarious that my group couldn't stop talking about our break during and after, but when we got up in front of everyone, we didn't even know what to say. I think we were all speechless because we knew we couldn't possibly convey the depth of our experience in mere words. Honestly, that's how I feel.
The winter break classes were helpful in preparing us for any kind of volunteering situation, but of course, it's impossible to anticipate everything!
Having such an amazing first alternative winter break is both a blessing and a curse - we had a great time, obviously... but I'm almost scared to do another one because I don't know how it could possibly be better than this one was!
All in all, my experience with alternative breaks was a positive one, and I can't wait to stay involved. It has opened my eyes to a lot of social issues, and a lot of ideas surrounding those social issues (such as how to approach solving them).
Last thoughts... I miss my Atlanta groupies! And I loved scrapbooking our good times together!
Tonight's class was really great, and I wish that we had had more time to hear every detail from all of the groups' trips. I really enjoyed being able to see how each of the groups worked together, and how the overall dynamics had changed from the very beginning of this alternative breaks journey. I could tell that the entire energy of our "classroom" was completely different when I walked in tonight, and even had trouble hearing people right next to me speak because it seemed that everyone was catching up and glad to see one another.
ReplyDeleteI really loved hearing about the Give Kids the World group's experience on their trip, and felt like the things they were able to be a part of on their trip really touched each member of their group. The fact that they were working hands on with terminally ill children seemed to be brave in and of itself, and I can't imagine the range of emotions that they must have felt during their week in Florida.
Being able to experience the Alternative Breaks program from start to finish was really eye opening and rewarding. When I applied, the only thing I knew was that ONE Colorado supported issues that fell close to my heart, and that I wanted to be a part of the experience. Being able to participate in the classes every Thursday was really beneficial to preparing for things that we may have encountered on our break, but also a crucial part of getting to know our groups. I think that the hour we spent together each week pre-break was helpful in creating a basis for the friendships that were ultimately created during our volunteer time.
Although I did really enjoy hearing from each group, I wish that the presentations had been time limited, or maybe split between two class periods. OTHER THAN THAT, I thought it was great, and couldn't be happier with my group, my trip, and the alternative breaks team.
The presentations were really nice. I felt like it was like a show and tell. The picturces that everyone presented were heart warming and funny most of the time. I liked it because we can all relate to each other's trips in many ways. Although we all went to different sites with different goals and missions, we all experienced group bonding, a strong sense of purpose and achievement, and exhaustion.
ReplyDeleteThe class did end pretty late because each presentation was longer than expected but I understood. Every group was pretty excited about their experience. I thought each site had great meaning and purpose. It seemed like everyone learned something from their experience. After completing the class, I have nothing but great things to say about alternative breaks. What the directors, coordinators, finance, and pr have to do is awesome. I'd like to thank all of you for all the hard work and might I add organization! I do not regreat taking the class. I've met some amazing people that I would've never met before. Alternative Breaks has given us the opportunity to learn, grow, travel, and test our limits. With patience, hardwork, and enthusiasm anyone will enjoy Alternative Breaks.
I’m so sad that yesterday was our last Alternative Breaks class! Though it was my favorite class by far, watching the presentations was bittersweet. It was wonderful to hear about all the awesome sites the groups got to visit; I secretly wished I could have gone on every break. It was also depressing to know that this chapter of my volunteer experience is coming to a close. I miss my eight new best friends so much now that we are split up around campus. We had a simply phenomenal time. To explain all the incredible encounters we had on our trip would take hours. It seemed like very group was experience the exact same dilemma: how do you explain a life changing week of bonding and service in a few short minutes? To me, that is the best thing about Alternative Breaks. All of the groups seemed to bond so well, regardless of the issues they were working with. The people involved in this program are passionate and hardworking. As a freshman, I am very fortunate to have met so many great upperclassman role models and leaders.
ReplyDeleteI thought the Thursday night classes were extremely worthwhile. The varied discussion topics helped me, and I’m sure other participants as well, get a better understanding of the scope of volunteering and non-profits and the many issues they try to address. However, I do wish there had been more time to get to know our group members. I completely understand why there was not more time devoted to group interaction, that’s what the whole week volunteering is for! On the other hand, it might have made the first few hours of our car ride less awkward. :)
Overall, I am so happy to have been able to participate in Alternative Breaks! I am also really looking forward to continuing my involvement in this program (summer break perhaps?). I learned so much about volunteerism, my interests as a volunteer, and about myself in general. I have been telling everyone who will listen about my awesome experience. A big thank you to the directors, coordinators, and site leaders. You are all amazing!
Note to my GKTW family: Even if I go on another break, no one will ever replace you!
Class on thursday was really nice to see everyone had a really good experience. I really enjoyed hearing everyone's experiences and learning about what everyone did on their breaks. I had the most amazing time in Denver with my group we all became so close and I really do miss them all.We literally had countless memories that I will remember forever. I haven't had an experience in school to ever have a class like this. I learned a lot about volunteerism and the things that you really need to know before going into situations to volunteer. I really didnt realize how important these things were until we had them. The diversity training I think was really important to realize that there are things we won't understand. I really thought a lot about that training while at my elementary school in denver because I was working with a lot of underprivileged children. I really enjoyed the whole experience and had an absolutely amazing time.
ReplyDeleteOverall I couldnt be more happy that I just decided to sign up for alternative breaks. It was probably one of the most memorable trips I have ever been on and it was all for the good of the kids and helping out. As some other people have said I want to thank the directors and the coordinators for giving me this life changing opportunity.
I really hope to go on another alternative break, and just keep volunteering because I never realized the power of volunteering until I did this.
Overall, the Alternative Winter Breaks program was a positive experience for me that I will look back at with a positive outlook. The Thursday classes really helped prepare my group for all types of situations that became handy on the trip. For example, our group experienced poor trail building weather that prevented us from volunteering as many hours a day we thought we would be working. Rather than sit around at camp bored every afternoon, our group attempted to take advantage of what the environment around us had to offer in terms of entertainment. During periods of light rain our group thought we would be working. Rather than sit around at camp bored every afternoon, our group attempted to take advantage of what the environment around us had to offer in terms of entertainment. During periods of light rain our group enjoyed activities such as canoeing, hiking, reading, playing cards, shooting pool, playing music, enjoying board games, watching movies, or catching up on sleep. Our group also learned to rely on each other in times of frustration and cheer each other on in times of need. I never thought I would make such fast friends with my Alternative Winter Breaks group. It was also nice to know that our group was not the only group that did not have the experience they were expecting, but learned to make the best of. All of the groups had such positive and encouraging things to say about each volunteer’s experience on the trip. Through working as a team and always thinking about the positive sides to volunteering, all the groups succeeded in having a positive experience while away from Kansas for a week. I will definitely speak highly of the program to others and try to attend a few weekend breaks to stay in touch with the program.
DeleteHaving completed an Alternative Break before I thought I knew what I was in for. I was wrong. Both experiences were equally amazing but in completely different ways. Part of this may have been due to the place I was at in my life when I took each of these trips and part of it may have had to due with the fundamental differences between the two locations I went to.
ReplyDeleteLast year, Rebuild the Lower Nine in New Orleans taught me so many things that I did not know I was capable of. This year the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency and the city of Atlanta in general taught me so many wonderful things that I did not completely believe people were capable of. In New Orleans, I was blown away by the belief the workers down there had in my physical capabilities. As story I tell often when trying to get people to apply for a break, is about how New Orleans took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to try things I had never dreamed off included handing me a nail gun and telling me to put up a wall. I am still blown away by the tasks I was able to complete in that week with just a little instruction. As I always say, I am not the type of person who people just hand power tools too. In fact, I am the type of person that instantly has a half a dozen concerned employees run up to me in any Home Depot wondering if they could help me find something. But in New Orleans, I learned that I could easily be that person who effortless wields power tools or for that matter so many of types of things that I never thought I was capable of.
This year in Atlanta, I learned something much different. I already have a greater ability to recognize my capabilities. To be honest I wasn’t worried about being confronted with any work that I was not capable of while working in a center for the homeless. Instead, I spent a week learning about the capabilities of others. I learned about the amazing capability of others to love and care for complete strangers unconditionally. From the workers and volunteers at the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to those who have fallen on hard times to the pastor and members at the First Metropolitan church who insisted that a group of seven college students from 1000 miles away should never have to cook their own meal while the were visitors to the city. Perhaps most remarkable was the love my group and I felt from complete strangers throughout the city. The most remarkable story was that of a young black man in Marietta who overheard us as we were buying clothes to leave for the clothing closets at the center and the church. Upon hearing that it was all going to the homeless he immediately reached into his wallet and gave us a $20 bill to help. No questions asked he opened up his heart and his wallet when he was clearly on a tight budget himself.
Both trips have been essential to my development as I prepare to graduate this spring. Both taught me lessons that I am better for having learned.
I really enjoyed listening to all the presentations tonight. Since so many of the trips were interesting to me, and of course I could not go on all of them, I was glad to hear all about what they did and the experiences they had. I am a bit jealous of the people in Arizona and Texas who had nice warm weather, since West Virginia was slightly cooler, but mostly I am happy that it seems like everyone had a good time.
ReplyDeleteI particularly enjoyed hearing about Playworks in Denver. Kids are my favorite group of people to work with, so this trip really excited me. I found it interesting that each of the group members had a different school to work with, and so they each had a different experience. The people they encountered challenged them each in a unique way. The trip to New Orleans to work with the Lower Nine also sounded great to me. I have personally seen the great amount of need in that area as a result of Hurricane Katrina, so I knew the group would be seeing a lot of devastation and the need for help. It sounds like they were able to make a difference and grow from their trip.
Though I am sad to be ending this year’s winter break and my first alternative break experience, it makes me feel really good to know that so many of us college kids went out of our way to volunteer. The organization we have here at KU is doing some great work right now and, even more importantly, for the future. The potential we have to impact others is great. As Larry Gibson told us in West Virginia, young people are the most precious resource available to make change happen. Thank goodness we are using this resource wisely.
I feel like I’ve been reflecting a lot. Lots of critical reflections. I’m not very good at that business, I write a lot of lab reports. But I do know a few things here and there, and I know that going on my Alternative Break has changed my perspective not only as an animal lover, but also as a leader. I learned about friendships, and how to not micromanage every situation, because, at last, we are adults.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing everyone’s reflection of the individual breaks as well. I know class went a little long, but if everyone had the same experience I had, we could have all talked about our breaks for hours on end. The entire class was really busy catching up when we first walked in, and it was obviously that everyone had bonded with each other over the trips. Each break was totally different, and the dynamic of each group that went. I’m not even mad that I didn’t get the inside jokes, because we all know my groups inside jokes were the funniest anyway.
Taking the class was beneficial, however I think that having a few more bonding opportunities with my group would have just increased our dynamic at the beginning of the trip. It was kind of awkward with Phillip driving for the first few hours, while I was obviously copiloting. Then we all realized how scared we should be to be in the car with him driving so things inevitably got less awkward and everyone became more comfortable. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go on the break with the group I was able to. It wouldn’t have been the same with out them.
I learned a lot about exotic animal care, and how much 7 kids from Kansas with some free time can really impact those who need the help, regardless of the situation. I also learned that sometimes 7 kids from Kansas can also be in the way, and those were probably some of the best times to get to know each other.