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Last Spring, I traveled to Sarajevo for two weeks. Just a usual, boy meets girlfriend's parents, trip. Well not quite, her parents live in Bosnia. I would have to forgo the annual migration of college students to beaches, sex, and booze. Instead, I was headed to a small, poor, war torn Slavic country.

I thought I knew what to expect, but I had not been capable of imagining what I saw. Craters in the streets left from artillery shells. Ironically, the missing concrete from the sidewalks and streets forms a circular pattern, making it appear as if you are looking down at a concrete rose. The craters were everywhere; on the streets, and pavement, the stone and brick walls of buildings that looked as if they had literally been sprayed with bullets. Nearly naked gypsy children no older than five wandered from car to car begging at stoplights on the main streets.

During spring break, I was able to help some of these children, and see more of what is possible in the world, while having my senses heightened by the unfamiliarity of the scenery and culture. Though my experience involved limited planning and structure, students are well advised to plan a humanitarian spring break if they want to make the most of thier time. There are university resources, non profit organizations, and travel agencies, all solely devoted to helping students identify and plan humanitarian volunteer opportunities during t spring break
Whether or not you have the money to fund a trip to Guatemala, there is always a way to volunteer.

A good alternative to a trip abroad is to work for a local organization that needs volunteers. You can also volunteer for a cause, or a candidate that you support. Use the web, news papers, and other resources to identify organizations or groups that share your interest. Think of it this way - if you volunteer locally you can build a community that can last throughout the year, and you'll also save us all from the carbon emissions produced by the flight to Honduras.

One thing is for sure, if you volunteer for spring break, afterward you'll have a clear conscience.

Learn more about this author, Alex Fleming.
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