UD Alternative Breaks
UD Alternative Breaks (UDAB)
Alternative breaks are immersive service opportunities that offer students a break from their academic routines to engage in service and learn about new communities. Students also make new friends and create lasting memories with teammates.
In pre-departure preparation, participants learn about the communities they are serving. Post-program reorientation allows participants to reflect on their alternative break experience and how it will shape their future.
UDAB’s mission as an alternative breaks program is to create a variety of issue-based community service experiences. Our programs are available to undergraduate and graduate students and are offered during spring and winter breaks.
UDAB aims to make meaningful and reflective community engagement accessible and educational. UDAB programs are fee-based; however, financial aid is available to ensure access for those with financial need.
Winter Programs
UDAB offers an annual alternative breaks program during Winter Session. Student will travel to Puerto Rico to work on community service projects valuable to the local communities. The 2026 program was held from January 15–22.
Applications for Winter 2026 programs are closed.
Spring 2026 Programs
Saturday March 21–Saturday, March 28, 2026
*Please note these are price estimates that can increase or decrease based on the number of participants.
Applications for Spring 2026 programs are closed.
Appalachia Service Project
Jonesville, VA
Appalachia Service Project works to eradicate substandard conditions of housing in Central Appalachia and to help rebuild communities after damaging floods in recent years. ASP provides one of the most rewarding structured service opportunities in the nation—bringing thousands of volunteers from around the country to rural Central Appalachia to repair homes for low-income families.
Site Leaders: Mary Connolly, Peter Macyko
Estimated Cost: $650*
Bread for the City
Washington, DC
The mission of Bread for the City is to help Washington, DC residents living with low income to develop their power to determine the future of their own communities. They provide food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services to reduce the burden of poverty.
Site Leaders: Ethan Roseman, Kate Hall
Estimated Cost: $600*
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Annapolis, MD
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation strives to save the bay and keep it saved. Through natural filters on both the land and in the water, resilience will be provided to the entire Chesapeake Bay system and serve as a habitat for terrestrial and aquatic life. Volunteers will grow oysters, plant trees or learn advocacy skills to help create a cleaner, more sustainable Chesapeake Bay.
Site Leaders: Ryan Gellner, Sasha Sehgal
Estimated cost: $450*
Food Bank of Delaware
Newark, DE
Join us for our first LOCAL UDAB program! The Food Bank of Delaware distributes food statewide through a network of partners. Food is easily accessible from local food closets, mobile pantries and schools. At the same time, we help individuals and families gain long-term financial stability by providing job training, nutrition education, financial coaching, SNAP outreach and legislative advocacy. They do this with a mission of kindness, dignity and respect.
Site Leaders: Kiersten Schmitt, Brianna Walters
Estimated Cost: $300*
Gwen's Girls
Pittsburgh, PA
Gwen’s Girls is an agency that offers a range of services for at-risk females. It is designed to help young girls and their families address issues such as poverty, racism and violence through a holistic, gender-specific approach. The organization aims to help girls develop self-esteem, resilience and skills to become self-sufficient members of society.
Site Leaders: Sofia Caamaño, Katie Friedman
Estimated Cost: $475*
Habitat for Humanity of Cape Fear
Wilmington, NC
Habitat for Humanity partners with people in your community, and all over the world, to help them build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With your support, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and for their families.
Site Leaders: Jordyn Blachar, Luke Ryan
Estimated Cost: $500*
“My experience with UDaB has been phenomenal, since it opened new opportunities to become more invested in helping members of the community. It allowed me to strengthen my communication and leadership skills when functioning as a member of the team.” - David Konitzer, '26
“UD’s Alternative Breaks was a transformative experience and has highlighted the importance of service and community, and opened my eyes to different perspectives and issues. I loved how hands on this program is, and how great of a community we built together.” - Meghna Raj Annasagaram, '27
“I really can’t put it into words adequately how well regarded the University of Delaware students/staff are here in New Bern. The community looks forward to seeing them year after year.” - Buna Cumbie, Community Partner, Habitat for Humanity of Craven County
Frequently Asked Questions
Once this year’s application is available, you can visit the application page through the Center for Global Programs and Services platform to apply. If you have not applied before, the link will take you to a new application. If you begin an application and leave it in draft, when you visit the link again, it will take you to your dashboard. Your existing draft application should be listed there.
The Winter Puerto Rico program cost will range between $1,500 to $1,800 before financial aid or grants. The Spring programs will range from $450 to $550 before financial aid or grants. Site leaders for the programs will communicate final costs (before financial aid) to perspective participants. All applicants are charged a $50 application fee; however, financial aid can also be applied to this charge.
Everything! All lodging, food, transportation, supplies and partner fees are included in the program cost. You would only need to cover elective personal purchases.
You don’t! All participants are considered for financial aid based on their FAFSA. A percentage of your program charges, according to your level of need determined by your FAFSA, will be covered by grant funds.
If you need additional assistance after your grant funds have been applied, or do not have a FAFSA on file with UD, contact our program advisor, Amelia Carte at acarte@udel.edu.
Please note: UDAB scholarship funds can only be used once a year. So, if you participate in, and accept scholarship funds for, the Winter UDAB program, you will not be offered scholarship funds for the Spring UDAB program that year.
We continuously fundraise to lower the cost of participation in our programs and seek funding for our general scholarship fund which provides need-based grants to participants (A FAFSA must be on file with Student Financial Services to qualify for a need-based grant).
Students who can no longer attend their UDAB program and would like to request that they not be charged for their program must adhere to the following policy. If a replacement can be found for their spot on a program, they will not be charged unless there are unavoidable penalties (ticket name change, etc). All students requesting a charge reversal must write a letter to the program advisor, Amelia Carte, of 200 words or less explaining why a reversal should be granted.
If approved, all scholarships are revoked and fee reversals will be applied according to this schedule:
60+ days before departure, responsible for non-refundable program fee
59–30 days before departure, responsible for half of trip costs and non-refundable program fee
< 29 days before departure no refund, fully responsible for trip costs
Extenuating circumstances that prevent you from fully participating will be considered.
Yes! Please do! You may participate in programs during both breaks.
Please note: UDAB scholarship funds can only be used once a year. So, if you participate in, and accept scholarship funds for, the Winter UDAB program, you will not be offered scholarship funds for the Spring UDAB program that year.
There are numerous ways to get more involved!
After participating in a program, you can apply for UDAB Leadership (applications are typically released in late April).
Apply to participate in more programs in the upcoming fall semester.
Participate in UDAB’s various days of service and active citizenship events.
Email bluehenbreaks@udel.edu for details about these opportunities.
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