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Research Articles

Vol. 20 No. 3

The Effects of an Alternative Spring Break Program on Student Development

Submitted
October 18, 2016
Published
2016-10-18

Abstract

This study examined the potential impact of a week-long cocurricular community service-learning (CSL) program on undergraduate students’ psychosocial development. Participants in the Alternative Spring Break program and a matched control group completed surveys assessing a number of psychosocial variables immediately before and after the program, as well as 8 months later. Findings suggest that cocurricular CSL programs such as alternative breaks may positively impact students in 2 important ways: increasing personal growth and increasing personal effectiveness. Further research with larger samples is necessary; however, results from this study indicate that cocurricular CSL can be a powerful tool for supporting positive student development.