Want to learn more about the experience of being an EL before you decide to apply? Send any questions to us at alternativebreaks@umd.edu.
FAQs and More Info About Being an Experience Leader
Who are our Experience Leaders?
AB Experience Leaders (ELs) are the chief coordinators for the Alternative Spring Break experiences. They are students who are passionate about social justice & community service, and have a deep commitment to learning more about themselves & the world around us.
What is their role in Alternative Breaks?
- They plan and oversee experience logistics,
- Facilitate peer learning around social justice issues,
- Develop educational and orientation curriculum for participants,
- Lead team activities and reflections, and
- Serve as the main contact for their individual AB experience (i.e. working with your community partner)
What to expect as an Experience Leader:
- Time Commitment: Being an EL is a year-long commitment in which you will be given the tools to plan and lead a service-learning experience for Alternative Breaks participants.
- Preparation: ELs participate in weekly synchronous trainings led by the AB Staff & asynchronous trainings on ELMs, which will give you the tools you need to be ready to lead a group of your peers on a transformative experience
- Community: You won't do any of this alone! You'll have a cohort of ELs that you'll be with every week, as well as a Co-EL who you'll be working with to plan everything needed for your trip.
Benefits of being an Experience Leader:
- Gain transferrable skills and experience applicable to future personal, professional, and civic endeavors
- Serve as a valuable voice for student involvement and will have an opportunity to help guide the direction of the AB Experience
- High level of responsibility and unique leadership experience leading peers through an experiential education program
- Organizational experience through experience-planning and coordination
- Building close relationships within a community of diverse peers, staff and faculty
- Deeper understanding of social issues, root causes, service-learning, social change and social justice concepts
Experience Leader Application Process
- Review the Experience Leader Position Description for information about specific responsibilities and requirements.
- Complete the online application by April 11, 2024 (at 11:59pm) for best consideration
- Have a conversation with a member of the Alternative Breaks Team - either the Coordinator, Graduate Assistant, or one of the AB Interns. You will receive an invite following the submission of your application to sign up for a time slot. This will be about 45 minutes of individual questions to get to know you.
- All applicants will be notified before the Fall semester starts!