Alternative Breaks

Break Away with VT Engage!

Alternative Breaks (AB) are service-learning immersion experiences during Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks that address social issues in domestic and international communities. Open to any Hokie, these experiences encourage self-understanding, develop leadership skills, and inspire commitment to future action!

Questions? Contact Raymon Johnson, Engagement Coordinator, at rtjohnson@vt.edu. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Raymon during regular business hours at least 30 business days prior to the trip departure date.

2026-27 Break Options

How To Get Involved

Volunteer as a Participant

Participants travel in a group to a community away from campus and participate in a mixture of service, educational, and reflective activities with a community partner organization. All participants must be able to commit to the full duration of the break experience and any pre-trip/post trip activities organized by their AB Leaders. Participants must apply for a spot on their preferred break and pay a participation fee. This fee covers all lodging, meals, transportation, and programming activities during the break.

Lead a Break

In a pair, AB Leaders will lead teams of participants throughout the break experience. These students are responsible for overseeing trip logistics, facilitating orientation and educational programming, communicating between the community partner organization and participants, and leading reflection activities. Break Leaders enhance their leadership skills and gain transferable skills for their future. AB Leaders are recruited at the end of the spring semester.

Serve as a Faculty Advisors

Faculty Advisors provide guidance and support to AB leaders during the planning and execution of break experiences. Virginia Tech faculty and staff who are interested in this opportunity should reach out to Engagement Coordinator Raymon Johnson at rtjohnson@vt.edu.