Many schools have incredible staff or student run organizations that specialize in week-long service. I have heard of incredible experiences with alternative break trips from Penn State to UCLA. For example, the University of Delaware has UDaB, a student run organization that sends service trips during each break. This spring, I took a trip to Lexington, Kentucky to help out on a farm that doubled as a domestic abuse shelter. Had I known that I would find a new home with UDaB, I would have gotten involved the second I enrolled in college. Everyone constantly told me that UDaB would change my life. To my surprise it did, here's why.

1. You get the opportunity to go somewhere you've never gone before.

I hadn't known anyone who had been to Lexington, Kentucky before this trip. It was also one of the first times I had the opportunity to experience the south and southern culture. It was a learning experience that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

2. You learn new skills.

From power tools to knitting, you may encounter a number of odd jobs that teach you odd skills. On the farm, I learned how to correctly layer a compost pile. It was exciting to get a taste of some hard layer farm skills.

3. You have something to do over spring break.

After my trip, I heard that many of my friends chose not to do anything over spring break. Although the relaxing time is much needed, I was glad that I could channel that time into something that could potentially make a difference.

4. You improve your leadership and group skills.

In most cases, there is a lot of work to be done on a job site. If you aren't able to work as a team, you might have to face many unnecessary obstacles. Because we were able to channel our energy into working efficiently, we were able to knock out a week's worth of work in a day.

5. You learn how important it is to reflect.

At the end of each day, we participated in a brief reflection circle. This allowed us to open up and share our experience with each other. Having the opportunity to listen to different versions of the same trip really allowed me to live out the entire trip to its fullest.

6. It costs much less than a trip to Florida.

Even though Florida is the place to be during spring break, a trip down there would have costed me around 800$ after a plane ticket, a room, and food. My UDaB trip was only a couple hundred dollars for room, food, and travel costs. Pair that with a priceless experience and I'm sold. The beach will be waiting for me when I return home, an alternative break trip will not.

7. You learn what it means to take a step back from yourself to help others.

The entire trip revolves around what you can do for other people. Taking the time to think only about what you can do for your volunteer service allows you to take your mind off of your own needs and focus on the people around you. This can be humbling and refreshing at the same time.

8. You get the opportunity to represent your school in a new place.

As the trip came to an end, we were all proud to be from the University of Delaware. The impact we made, though small, reflected us as students and as people. We could tell that the volunteer leaders were excited to have Delaware back next year even though it would be a different group of people.

9. You form strong bonds with people you had no idea attended the same University.

Although we only spent a week together, I had built strong relationships with every single person on my trip. It felt so wonderful to know that there are other people that wanted to be there as much as I did. I now have a UDaB family that I brought home with me. Every time I see one of them on campus, its like reuniting with a good friend.

10. You meet some amazing people.

I have never met anyone like the women from the domestic violence shelter, their stories and experiences enlightened me on the topic area and showed me a new perspective all together. There is no other point in my life where I would interact with beautifully resilient people like them.