AB Application and Information

Student Participants

AB usually have capacity for a maximum of ten student participants. No prior AB experience is required to apply as an AB student participant. However, if interested in applying as a student leader, please review the section titled "Student Leaders."

Student Participant Requirements

• Must be a current full-time LMU student (undergraduate or graduate)
• Must be available Fridays between 3-5pm
• Must have a 2.0 GPA or higher

Student Participant Commitments

• Attend all mandatory signature events: AB Community Welcome night, all pre-AB meetings, an AB mixer, AB Re-Orientation, and Advocacy Teach-in
• Complete a pre- or post-AB action with their group by the end of April
• Be fully present and engaged for the entirety of the Alternative Break (from leaving LMU to arriving back at LMU).
• Be willing to practice simple-living
• Participate and engage in daily reflections
• Abide by AB's no-phone / technology policy
• Abide by LMU's Alcohol-and-Drug-Policies

Student Participant Application Process

1. Attend an information session if a first-time applicant
2. Submit an Alternative Break Student Application
3. Sign-up for an AB interview
4. Complete an AB interview

Student Participant Applicant Timeline

• Early August: Student participant recruitment begins; Application available via LEO
• Early/Mid-September: Student participant recruitment ends
• August-September: Student participant interviews (rolling)
• Late September/Early October: Decision, deposit, and contract due 
• December 1st: Final payment due

Student Leaders

AB usually have two student leaders (unless otherwise noted). In order to maintain the essence of AB, priority is given to applicants who have previous AB experience. Selected student leaders receive 50% off their AB program cost.  

Student Leader Requirements

• Must be a current full-time LMU student (undergraduate or graduate)
• Must be available Fridays between 3-5pm
• Must have a 2.5 GPA or higher

Student Leader Commitments

• Attend all mandatory signature events: AB Community Welcome night, all pre-AB meetings, an AB mixer, AB Re-Orientation, and Advocacy Teach-in
• Complete a pre- or post-AB action with their AB group by the end of April
• Be fully present and engaged for the entirety of the Alternative Break (from leaving LMU to arriving back at LMU)
• Be willing to practice simple-living
• Facilitate, participate and engage in daily reflections
• Abide by AB's no-phone / technology policy
• Abide by LMU's Alcohol-and-Drug-Policies

Student Leader Responsibilities at LMU

• Preparing the materials and activities for their AB group's pre-immersion meetings
• Booking a space for their AB group's pre-immersion meetings
• Leading and facilitating their AB group's pre-immersion meetings
• Serving as the liaison between AB and their AB group
• Communicating reminders/announcements to their AB group
• Proactively seeking feedback and guidance from their staff/faculty advisors
• Other tasks as needed

Student Leader Responsibilities in Host Location

• Communicating reminders/announcements to their AB group
• Organizing and facilitating reflections every day
• Initiating daily check-ins with their staff/faculty advisors
• Proactively seeking feedback and guidance from their staff/faculty advisors
• Other task as needed

Student Leader Application Process

1. Submit an Alternative Break Student Application
2. Sign-up for an AB interview
3. Complete an AB interview

Student Leader Applicant Timeline

• Early/Mid-July: Student leader recruitment begins; Application available via LEO
• Late August: Student leader recruitment ends
• Early September: Student leader interviews
• Mid/Late-September: Decision, deposit, and contract due 
• December 1st: Final payment due

Payment Timeline

• Non-Refundable Deposit: 25% of the AB program cost is due upon acceptance of AB participation and is non-refundable. 
• Final Balance Payment: The remaining balance is due before or by December 1st. 

Program Cost

• CSA subsidizes the cost of Alternative Breaks to make these experiential learning opportunities as inclusive and accessible as possible to all students by covering fifty percent or more of the overall program and travel costs.
• The subsidized-cost due by participants includes roundtrip transportation from LMU to the host location and back, housing, three meals a day, and all transportation and program activities in the host location.
• Additional costs that participants should keep in mind include, but is not limited to, costs needed to obtain or renew a passport, and visa or vaccination costs (if applicable).

Financial Assistance

• AB applicants in need of financial assistance should submit an AB scholarship application, which is embedded in the general AB application. Eligibility is based on financial need as determined by the information provided on students’ FAFSA as well as applicants' AB scholarship application responses. Note: Financial assistance is not guaranteed or automatic. 
• AB applicants in need of financial assistance will first be asked to submit a Be a Lion fund request. Be A Lion fund was established to provide financial assistance to students by eliminating obstacles that may impede participation in experiences through LMU Student Affairs such as Alternative Breaks (AB). Currently, students can apply for funds anytime, but may only apply for funding for one experience each academic year to receive up to $500, and will only be eligible to receive funding up to three times during their time at LMU.
• AB applicants who believe they are in need of more than $500 in financial assistance, are encouraged to also consider different sources of funding both on-campus and off-campus including personal fundraising.

Staff and Faculty Advisors

AB usually have two staff/faculty advisors (unless otherwise noted). In order to maintain the essence of AB, priority is given to applicants who have previous AB advisor experience and staff/faculty with experience mentoring and supporting students outside the classroom. Note: Serving as an AB advisor is a volunteer opportunity. 

Advisor Requirements

• Must be a full-time exempt (salary) staff or faculty at LMU 
• Must have at least one academic year at LMU 
• Must have supervisor’s permission to serve as an Alternative Breaks advisor

Advisor Commitments

• Attend mandatory signature events: AB Community Welcome night, Pre-AB Meetings, and AB Re-Orientation
• Be fully present and engaged for the entirety of the Alternative Break (from leaving LMU to arriving back at LMU)
• Be willing to practice simple-living
• Participate and engage in daily reflections
• Abide by LMU's Alcohol-and-Drug-Policies

Cost, Travel, and Accommodations

• When possible, AB advisors are provided their own room. Attached bathroom may or may not be included). Accommodation information will be discussed during AB interviews 
• CSA subsidizes the cost of AB to make these experiential learning opportunities as inclusive and accessible as possible to all students, staff, and faculty by covering fifty percent or more of the overall program and travel costs. However, there are still additional costs CSA looks to offset when identifying staff and faculty to participate in AB. Before their AB interview, advisor applicants are asked to confirm if they are able to get funding to support their participation in an AB.
• Note: The subsidized-cost due by participants includes roundtrip transportation from LMU to the host location and back, housing, three meals a day, and all transportation and program activities in the host location. Additional costs that participants should keep in mind include, but is not limited to, costs needed to obtain or renew a passport, and visa or vaccination costs (if applicable).
• Depending on AB locations, advisors may be required to drive a vehicle for their AB group. Driving needs will be discussed during AB interviews (if applicable).

Advisor Application Process

1. Submit an Alternative Break Staff/Faculty Application
2. Sign-up for an AB interview
3. Complete an AB interview

Advisor Applicant Timeline

• Early July: Advisor recruitment begins
• Early or Mid-August: Advisor recruitment ends
• Mid-August: Advisor interviews
• Late-August: Advisor decision and contract due

Prior to Applying

• First-time applicants are required to attend an information session 
• All applicants must obtain their supervisor’s permission to serve as an Alternative Breaks advisor  
• All applicants must have the support of their supervisor to be away from their office/role to be fully present and engaged for the entirety of the Alternative Break(s) that apply for (from leaving LMU to arriving back at LMU) 
• All applicants must have the support of their supervisor to be away from their office/role for pre-AB meetings, which is an AB signature event that occurs three to four times on select Fridays between 3-5pm 
• All applicants must have the support of their supervisor to be away from their office/role for the AB Community Welcome Night, which is an AB signature event that occurs on a select Friday between 3-5pm in the fall semester 
• All applicants must have the support of their supervisor to be away from their office/role for the AB Re-Orientation, which is an AB signature event that occurs on a select Friday between 3-5pm in the spring semester 
• All applicants must have the support of their supervisor to be away from their office/role for advisor meetings with AB/CSA staff, student leaders and/or co-advisors

Signature Events

Information Sessions (Required for First-Time Applicants) 

AB information sessions provide prospective applicants an overview of Alternative Breaks as well as provide pertinent information for the current academic year such as AB’s commitments, offerings, and applicant timelines. Information sessions are open to any LMU student, staff, or faculty interested in learning more about AB. However, first-time applicants are required to attend an information session PRIOR to starting an AB application – no exceptions. If interested in attending an information session, please attend the one applicable to you (student applicant vs. staff/faculty applicant). 

Community Welcome Night (All Participants) 

AB’s Community Welcome Night (CWN) is an event where all AB participants for the upcoming academic year come together for the first time. During this event, AB/CSA staff welcome the incoming year’s cohort and go over AB’s policies and expectations as well as other pertinent information. During CWN, AB participants also get the opportunity to breakout into their specific AB group and meet their AB peers, student leaders, and advisors for the first time.  

Pre-AB Meetings (All Participants) 
All AB Participants are required to attend their pre-AB meetings led by student leaders. They occur three to four times throughout the year and are conducted before groups depart for their AB. These meetings provide AB groups the opportunity to build community, learn foundational information about their host location, as well as get their wheels turning about their AB's social justice focus(es). Pre-AB meetings are mandatory and conducted in-person (no Zoom-ins allowed). Note: Pre-AB meetings are prescheduled to select Fridays between 3-5 p.m., and last 1 to 1.5 hours. Exact timeframe to be confirmed by each AB's student leaders. 

Student Leader Meetings (Student Leaders Only) 

Student leader meetings are designed for AB student leaders only. These meetings equip student leaders with an in-depth understanding of AB’s mission as well as their roles and responsibilities as student leaders and facilitators for their group. These meetings also provide pertinent AB information that student leaders are expected to relay to their groups. All student leader meetings are mandatory and conducted in-person (no Zoom-ins allowed). Note: Student leader meetings are prescheduled to select Fridays between 3-5 p.m. and last 1 to 1.5 hours. Exact timeframe to be confirmed by AB/CSA staff. 

Advisor Meetings (Staff/Faculty Advisors Only) 

Advisor meetings are designed for AB staff/faculty advisors only. These meetings equip advisors with an in-depth understanding of AB’s mission and their roles and responsibilities, as well as pertinent information needed to best support their AB group and student leaders. All advisor meetings are mandatory and conducted either in-person or virtually. There will be two to three meetings hosted throughout the academic year. There will be two to three meetings hosted throughout the academic year. Meeting location and dates will be confirmed at least two weeks in advance by AB/CSA staff. 

AB Mixers (Student Participants & Student Leaders) 

AB mixers were introduced in the 2024-2025 academic year with the purpose of providing AB participants an opportunity to build community as a larger cohort, across ABs, and/or with previous AB participants (AB alumni). AB mixers are also a great way for participants to practice building community as well as engaging in conversation and connection with new folks. All AB participants must attend at least one mixer but are welcome to attend both. AB Mixers will be held once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester on a select Friday between 3-5pm.  

AB Re-Orientation (All Participants) 

AB Re-Orientation is an event where all AB participants reconnect after returning from their AB (or before departing for their AB, as is the case for summer AB groups). During this event, AB/CSA staff will guide groups through activities and reflections to address the lingering question “now what?” Participants will also have the opportunity to reflect and hear from other AB groups, creating a full circle moment while further building the sense of community with the current year’s cohort. 

Post-AB Action (Winter & Spring Groups)  

Groups going on a winter or spring AB are expected to complete a post-AB action. This advocacy event is an opportunity for AB groups to reflect on what they learned and what they want to share with the broader LMU community. Post-AB actions are expected to be discussed/planning throughout the pre-AB meetings, solidified in host location, and executed in the Spring semester (before or by the end of April). In the past, AB groups have hosted poster-presentations at Wellness Wednesday, hosted a two-part event (panel & fundraiser), as well as hosted a photo exhibit in the library – the ideas are endless! AB groups are encouraged to consider applying to CSA’s Empowerment Grant, which can provide seed money to assist with any cost(s) needed to complete a post-AB action.  

Pre-AB Action (Summer Groups) 

Summer AB groups are expected to complete a pre-AB action since their AB concludes during LMU's summer break, and they will not be able to participate in a traditional post-AB action. This advocacy event is an opportunity for AB groups to reflect on what they learned and what they want to share with the broader LMU community. Pre-AB actions are expected to be discussed and solidified during pre-AB meetings and executed in the Spring semester (before or by the end of April). Some ideas include, but are not limited to, meeting with an LMU registered student org or supporting an LMU event that uplifts the group's host location or culture or hosting a professor with expertise in the AB’s host location or social justice focus(es) – the ideas are endless! AB groups are encouraged to consider applying to CSA’s Empowerment Grant, which can provide seed money to assist with any cost(s) needed to complete a post-AB action. 

Advocacy Teach-In (Student Participants & Student Leaders)  
Advocacy Teach-In is an annual event that brings LMU students, staff and faculty together for a day-long social justice learning experience. The event consists of a keynote speaker, who is a community leader doing advocacy work, and five to seven workshops that are led by various non-profit organizations and have different social justice focus(es). This signature event is held on a Saturday from 9am-2pm during the spring semester (typically late March or early April).