BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University's Alternative Service Experience (ASE) Program immerses students in a service experience in local domestic and international communities during school breaks. Created and led by trained student peer leaders, ASE involves direct service to a community, purposeful reflection and relationship building with others.

For Spring Break 2013, seven international programs still have openings. Costs range from $1,400-$2,150, which includes airfare, housing, food and in-country transportation. Scheduled for March 9-16, these drug- and alcohol-free adventures provide students with an "alternative," giving them an opportunity to volunteer, as well as learn more about the world and themselves.

All international ASE programs are 1-credit hour international service-learning courses and require four pre-travel and one post-travel class, as well as in-country reflections and assignments.

According to a student survey, ASE experiences lead to enhanced:

• personal motivation for service
• ability to self-reflect and cooperate with others
• self-confidence with international travel

The 2013 international Spring ASE programs are:

• Punta Gorda, Belize - Work alongside an environmental group on an organic cocoa farm to monitor and promote biodiversity, and live in a community next to the Caribbean Sea. Trip cost - $2,150
• Mastatal, Costa Rica - Learn about the importance of sustainable development and lifestyle and different aspects of Costa Rican culture. Trip cost - $1,400
• La Represa, Dominican Republic - Learn about international health care practices at Hospital Infantil Robert Reid Cabral, visit the colonial city of Santo Domingo and enjoy beautiful Caribbean beaches. Trip cost - $1,765
• Quito, Ecuador - Experience the Pinchincha Mountains and witness the beauty of Ecuadorian culture through a partnership with Summit Adventure. Participants will learn about the effects of poverty and international migration, and teach at a bilingual school. Trip cost - $2,150
• El Quimal, Guatemala - Live in the Mayan village of El Quimal, and work with Service for Peace to promote social justice in this underrepresented community. Trip cost - $1,765
• Granada, Nicaragua - Work with children at La Esperanza Granada to promote learning as well as work on a project to provide a reliable water source to the community. Trip cost - $1,400
• Huánuco, Peru - Work with Hovde Foundation to support vulnerable children, explore the art, history and historical cities of Peru, and enjoy the local cultural traditions of Huanaco. Trip cost - $2,150

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Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT)

Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) provides service experiences as opportunities to connect and engage with others to build authentic relationships, stimulate critical thinking and skill building, and recognize individual impact and responsibility to the local and global community. ACT partners with over 160 local nonprofits. Initiatives include blood drives, hunger and homeless awareness events, fundraising for local charities and alternative service experiences.

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Office of International Education and Development

The OIED is responsible for spearheading the internationalization efforts at Appalachian. The internationalization mission of Appalachian is to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences in both domestic and international contexts in its students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities. The university is also dedicated to creating a campus environment that builds the theoretical and practical skills needed to interact effectively in a global society.

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About the Office of International Programs

Appalachian State University combines a strong liberal arts foundation with a comprehensive, pervasive and integrated commitment to global engagement. The Office of International Programs assists App State in fulfilling its global engagement mission by working to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences — in both domestic and international contexts — in the university’s students, faculty and staff, as well as in the surrounding communities. Learn more at https://international.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.