{"id":46469,"date":"2013-02-28T09:19:06","date_gmt":"2013-02-28T14:19:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=46469"},"modified":"2013-02-28T09:20:13","modified_gmt":"2013-02-28T14:20:13","slug":"students-volunteer-time-talents-this-spring-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/students-volunteer-time-talents-this-spring-break\/","title":{"rendered":"Students to Volunteer Time, Talents this Spring Break"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/strong>When University of Central Florida senior Shelby Olson leaves for Costa Rica next week, it won\u2019t be for a typical spring break vacation.<\/p>\n Olson and eight other students will travel to San Miguel de Sarapiqui to volunteer on an organic coffee farm and work with children at three primary schools as part of UCF\u2019s Alternative Break Program.<\/p>\n The program sends teams of students around the country\u2014and for the first time this year, international\u2014to engage in community service and learn about social issues as they grow as individuals and impact lives.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s important for students to be involved with service, no matter whether it is a week-long experience or a day-long experience,\u201d said Olson. \u201cTaking a week to do something for others is a great way to learn about yourself and reflect on what you want out of your future.\u201d<\/p>\n Olson, who is active in community service through Volunteer UCF, created a partnership with the organization Dressed in Hope, which sews handmade dresses and dolls for impoverished young girls. Through the partnership, students on Olson\u2019s trip will donate dresses prepared at October\u2019s Knights Give Back campus service day to the girls in Costa Rica. The students have also collected soccer balls for the young boys.<\/p>\n The Alternative Break Program offers a variety of volunteer opportunities during spring and winter breaks and a long weekend in the fall. This year, there are 12 spring break trips.<\/p>\n Each trip includes eight participants, one student site leader and a faculty advisor. Students must apply for the programs online and attend group and individual interviews.<\/p>\n Several students are repeat volunteers, including Alternative Break Program Director Sammantha Pendergast.<\/p>\n \u201cI fell in love with the ideas and potential the program had to offer,\u201d said Pendergast, a senior who will make her third trip next week. \u201cStudents gain a deeper understanding of the various social issues that surround us on a daily basis. They become empowered to raise awareness and provide higher quality care to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n