During spring break 2010 four students traveled to various parts of the country to spend time working with local communities. In Ethos’ Alternative Break series they shared their stories. Now after almost a week of life back as a University of Oregon student, each reflects on their individual experiences.
Lizzie Falconer – San Francisco
What was the major lesson that I took from Alternative Spring Break?
That life isn’t fair.
I wish I could write something more eloquent and inspiring than that, but it’s the truth. Walking down the streets of San Francisco past the immobile lines of hundreds waiting for a hot meal, speaking with someone who wakes up every morning and fights a battle against HIV/AIDS and listening to the frustrated message of underpaid nonprofit workers does nothing but enforce my belief.
Life isn’t fair but people are still fighting. The work we did lasted only a week, but it showed me that against all odds people are still gathering together to help others. Alternative Break gave me hope. It introduced me to an amazing group of new friends, a new city and a new view on life. So next January when you’re staring winter term in the face and wondering how you’ll make it through, sign up for Alternative Spring Break. You won’t regret it.
Read Lizzie’s first blog post: “Good Guys/Bad Guys”
Read Lizzie’s second blog post: “The Big Win”


Lexi Stickel – San Francisco
Sitting in the comfort of my room back in Eugene with piles of clothing and books scattered about, I am able to reflect on what this experience has taught me. Despite how much money you have in your bank account, or even if you have a bank account, despite your health, state of mind, smell, appearance or anything else, you and everyone around you is deserving of human dignity and to be treated with love and respect. It is a difficult lesson to learn in a society that values fancy cars and big houses, but we need to start placing more value on those around us and less value on the possessions that they own.
This experience has reenforced and challenged so many of my beliefs and I’ve found people who understand my passion for service and social change. Alternative Break is an eye opening week of sobriety that every young college student should participate in, and far more valuable than a week of binge drinking in Mexico.
Read Lexi’s first blog post: “A City’s Contradicting Words”
Read Lexi’s second blog post: “Fish, fishing pole or both?”


Elaine Ramos – Eastern Oregon
There is so much I learned from the trip that it’s hard to boil down, but most prominently I was reminded how wonderful humanity is and how resilient people are. In the busy life of college it can be easy to forget this and become somewhat jaded, but the people I met and was surrounded with reaffirmed my belief in humanity. There was an overwhelming hopeful quality in all the service and learning of the past week; this was extremely humbling and motivating. I would certainly do Alternative Spring Break again. I’m thinking about applying to be a facilitator next year as well and thus be a larger part in the planning and coordinating of the program. I’m also looking into more long term service programs in the Eugene community that I can lend myself too.
Read Elaine’s first blog post: “Hungering to Help”
Read Elaine’s second blog post: “Lessons From the Klamath Tribes”


Keeley Tillotson – Los Angeles
Returning “back to normal” wasn’t nearly as easy as I’d thought. Even after a week sleeping in my own bed, attending classes and eating dorm food, I find myself reflecting on my Alternative Break. The experience left me reevaluating what I want to do with my time and where I want my life to go. Most importantly, how can I move forward from this experience? As the weeks pass between my Alternative Break and the rest of my life, I plan to focus on improving myself with the lessons I learned during that time away.
Read Keeley’s first blog post: “All It Takes Is a Spark”
Read Keeley’s second blog post: “Thanks, But I’d Rather Not Go Back To Normal”