When most college students hear the words “spring break”, they think of beaches, parties, and Caribbean getaways. When I hear “spring break”, I immediately do an internet search for Alternative Service Break programs. Every year, NC State sends dozens of students around the country and across the world to live with other cultures and engage in community service through the Alternative Service Break program. These trips range from community organization, to building sanitary latrines in third-world countries, to installing solar panels on homes in low-income communities. I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the last. When I initially discovered that Solar Spring Break was happening for the first time at NC State, I immediately began filling out the application. I knew that by participating in this opportunity, my interest of pursuing a career in the solar energy industry would be solidified. More importantly though, and the real reason I even considered applying for this opportunity, was the chance to serve others by helping them reduce their electric bills, while contributing to a “greener” tomorrow.
I spent my spring break with 11 other unique individuals that have as big a heart for serving others as I do. There were 11 total students on the trip, each with incredibly diverse backgrounds and skillsets that helped to shape the trip into one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. We had international students, engineering majors, a fashion and textiles major, undergraduate and graduate students, and the list goes on. Our faculty advisor that accompanied us is an advisor in the College of Engineering, and his contributions helped shape our experience into the overwhelming success that It was. We began our trip as complete strangers, with the exception of a few pre-trip meetings. When spring break began, we all got on a plane and flew to San Francisco, then drove to Atascadero, California, a smaller city in the bay area that is home to predominantly migrant farm workers, to partner with a non-profit organization, GRID Alternatives. We worked with them to install solar panels on the homes of two low-income homeowners. After just a short week of living together, dining together, volunteering together, and sharing in reflection together, we became a unified family focused on the same mission of serving others.
Getting the chance to work hands-on, right next to certified solar installers was an enlightening experience in itself. I have always been interested in the solar energy industry, but this trip definitely solidified that interest. Although I am not 100% set in stone on what I want to be doing post-graduation, I do know that I want to be involved in the renewable energy industry in some capacity. Not only does it directly help people in need, but the net positive effects on the environment speaks for itself.
Since I have gotten back from this trip and I have had a chance to reflect on what we collectively did, I have pinpointed exactly how I have changed. Before this trip, my views towards low-income homeowners and migrant farm workers in general, was not exactly one to be proud of. It’s not that I looked down on them or thought that I was any better, I just have never interacted with them, so I had unjustifiable, preconceived notions. I am ecstatic to say that this attitude and these views have changed drastically. Getting the chance to interact with them and understand that they were simply here to provide their families with a better quality of life humbled me in so many ways. Why should they not be allowed to do that? Who am I to judge someone for wanting a better quality of life for their family? Just because they weren’t born in this country, who am I to say that they shouldn’t be here working to make a living to support their family? A lot of these workers spend 12 or more hours in the fields every day, without receiving benefits or overtime pay, and they don’t complain. They do it because they know they can provide their families with a higher quality of life. Understanding that was key for my attitude to change, and that it did.
When I initially applied for this experience, I knew about the impacts that it can have on individuals. I was a bit biased because I have been on another Alternative Service Break experience at my previous college, so I knew how beneficial they can be. I have seen students change from an unwilling volunteer to having a servant’s heart. It is quite the transformation to witness. This experience was important to me because I was aware of the personal growth that could result from being involved. I have already experienced it firsthand and have seen others experience it. I was also extremely attracted to the fact that we would be helping families reduce their electric bills and have a positive impact on the environment. After our trip was over, the staff at GRID Alternatives crunched some numbers and gave us the results of our work. The following data represents the combination of both solar systems: the client savings was over $83,000, the tons of carbon offset was over 170, and the equivalent number of trees planted was over 4,000. Seeing these numbers truly solidified the work we did and put into perspective the impact that a handful of college students can have in just one week.
Alternative Service Break is truly a program unlike anything else. It gets students out of their own small world, dumps them in another part of the country or the world, and forces them to jump far out of their comfort zone to serve others, break down cultural barriers, and develop a mindset that strives for unity of humanity. Having had the chance to participate in one of these experiences has enhanced my college career and my life in ways unimaginable, and I am so grateful to have been granted that opportunity.