Rough economic times have forced many California college students to reevaluate their priorities, and as a result more are choosing to volunteer and give back during their spring break. Traditionally most California college students travel somewhere like Mexico or Florida, but that costs a lot of money and does not give back to the community. Fresno State University is doing a great job in helping their students with community service or volunteer projects during spring break 2010. Last year Fresno State started a pilot program to give the California college students a chance to take part in an alternative spring break. This year things are picking up as they had roughly 20 students participate in the spring break program, which helped the local community of Fresno.
It is estimated that over 70,000 college students from across the U.S. will pass up the normal spring break adventures and partying, in order to help out and give back via volunteer work. Some students view this as a way to improve their resumes, but most feel that the main goal is to be altruistic and help out people in a constructive way. Not all go through an organized program like the one at Fresno State, as some California college students just go out on their own and find local organizations that they want to support by helping out. Each year the number of college students who want to volunteer and give back is increasing, and this trend is expected to continue as it is a rewarding experience that will help give students a well rounded perspective.
This spring break was just amazing, I didn’t have this much fun the last year, so I am really looking forward to the spring break next year. I think I will go to the Bahamas in 2011. It is supposed to be really great.