Alternative Spartan Breaks (ASB) spent their Fall 2025 semester on a variety of projects supporting wellness programs and activities, urban renewal, services for neighbors facing poverty, and assistance to survivors. In total, 47 volunteers served with 7 partner organizations over 6 weekend experiences, including an extended 4-day fall break, and one week-long experience over winter break.

“I was looking for an experience that would push me outside my comfort zone while also helping me better understand communities and social issues,” said participant Sanvi Nagaram, a biology student in the Lyman Briggs College, of her weekend with ASB. “Over time, [our team] built a strong sense of trust and connection, which made the work more meaningful and enjoyable.”

ASB is a Registered Student Organization that plans engagement experiences throughout the state, country, and world. All experiences are oriented around one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Nagaram joined one of two Life Without Limits weekend experiences, which placed participants with an outdoor retreat providing activities and camp programs for individuals of all abilities.

“Working with [our community partner] during their weekend camp, we helped break down barriers for people with disabilities and provide them a space for growth and independence,” said fellow Life Without Limits participant Megan Riley, a psychology student in the College of Social Science.

“Working with our community partner helped me understand that promoting independence and inclusion means meeting people where they are and respecting their autonomy,” Nagaram said. “This experience reshaped how I think about disability, community care, and advocacy, and it reinforced the importance of reducing inequalities through intentional, inclusive practices.”

On an ASB experience, undergraduate participants work in teams, led by one or two students serving as team leaders, to learn about the needs and programs of a community, engage in a project identified by the partner organization, and reflect on the experience. These teams live together for the duration of the break.

“Working and living with the team was something I had never previously experienced,” said Move, Play, Serve team leader Kaylee Bedell, a physiology student in the College of Natural Science. “We got to know each other very quickly, being in each other’s presence for a week straight. It was interesting to see how our personalities mixed so well even though we were all quite different.”

The Move, Play, Serve winter break experience partnered Bedell and her team with two different organizations over the course of one week. Projects included interacting with youth in physical fitness and after school programs as well as helping with home construction and repairs to provide housing for families in need of shelter.

“I learned a lot about the implications of homelessness and how people get stuck in a loop that is difficult to get out of,” Bedell shared. “The community partners were very kind, and we communicated very well throughout the week. I think that even though the actions that we contributed to seemed small, the impacts on the employees that we helped out was definitely positive.”

Overall, the Fall 2025 semester was a great success for ASB participants in connecting with communities beyond Greater Lansing. “I wholeheartedly recommend participating in an Alternative Spartan Break experience,” Riley said. “The lessons learned through community immersion and organic reflection are important skills for meeting other community-identified needs in the future.”

“I learned the value of inclusion, patience, and showing up with an open mind,” Nagaram shared. “I would tell others that ASB is rewarding, eye-opening, and a great opportunity to make a real impact even in a short amount of time while also gaining a stronger sense of purpose and community.”