Alternative Spartan Breaks completed its first four-day experience during Fall Break! On October 19th through 22nd, nine students supported neighborhood revitalization in Detroit through cleanup and renovation at vacant lots and abandoned buildings.

Alternative Spartan Breaks (ASB) is a registered student organization that plans engagement experiences in communities throughout the state, country, and world during weekends and breaks in the MSU academic calendar. A team of undergraduate participants, led by two students serving as team leaders, learns about the needs and programs of a community, engages in a service project, and reflects on the experience.

Fall semester experiences are usually over the course of one weekend. “The extended Fall Break allowed us to connect deeply with the community and witness the impact of our work firsthand,” said participant Saad Zaeem. “I grew in understanding sustainable change and realized the value of empowering residents in revitalization.”

“Staying there longer allowed us to work on more complex projects and see them through to completion,” added participant Cordelia Kraus. One project during this experience was the preparation of a house for renovation. Participants cleaned the house and sorted through items for sale and donation.

Each ASB experience is directly guided by one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This Fall Break experience, a part of ASB’s Reclaim, Restore, Rebuild initiative, focused on Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

“By reusing materials and assisting with local gardening, we contributed to a more sustainable, community-focused environment,” said team leader Yamene Sathishkumar. “Our community partner’s mission aligns with this goal, as they are building sustainable neighborhoods one block at a time.”

Operating with the motto “Challenge Yourself, Challenge the World,” ASB experiences provide valuable lessons in being receptive and practicing teamwork with new community partners and peers. ”Working with my team and adapting to handle problems is a skill I’ll take with me for life,” said Kraus. “It was really empowering to see our collective work be put to use on a big project.”

“By the end, it felt like we had made a meaningful difference and truly bonded with the people we were helping,” added Sathishkumar. “I learned that even small tasks can have a big impact and that preparation is key.”

Overall, this Fall Break experience was a great success! To learn more about ASB’s work and experiences, visit their website.