For most students, winter break means watching movies, hanging out with friends and simply enjoying time off from school. For osteopathic medicine sophomore Taylor White , however, it means volunteering.
She, along with eight other medical students, will be traveling to Florida to help with nature restoration at Everglades National Park. She said some of the work might include fixing up the trails and removing invasive species.
“We may be picking up trash or painting park benches,” White said.
The class of 2017 had a fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings Monday where customers could request that 20 percent of their bill go toward funding the alternative winter break White has planned.
Tina Houghton , a program adviser in MSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, is in charge of various alternative break trips. Though she’s planning a different trip than White, she agrees students should become involved with service trips.
“I truly believe that it is a life-changing experience for many students,” Houghton said, adding she’s seen students change their majors as a result of attending an alternative break.
She also said she thinks it’s a great opportunity for students to learn more about themselves, open their eyes to different experiences and make an impact on society.
The alternative winter break Houghton has planned includes stops in Kansas City and New Orleans, where she and her group will help to combat social problems such as hunger and homelessness, kids and education and HIV and AIDS.
The trip to Florida won’t be White’s first. Last year, she and 22 other medical students went to Puerto Rico to work in a hospice area run by the Catholic Church.
“We did some water testing, partnering with some high schools nearby,” she said.
White said the goal of the trip was to raise awareness of the low water sanitation standards among the poor in Puerto Rico.
The trip was a success, serving as the inspiration for the upcoming alternative break. White said service trips are a great way to travel and help out other people.
“I think it’s a really fun opportunity to get to know your classmates better,” White said.
She added that there’s enough time during alternative breaks to enjoy the destination you’ve traveled to.
