Serving a Higher Power: The Influence of Alternative Break Programs on Students’ Religiousness

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between students’ religiousness and participation in alternative breaks (ABs) using both survey and interview data from the National Survey of Alternative Breaks. Findings from this mixed methods study demonstrate the potential for ABs to facilitate religiousness and help students connect (or reconnect) to religious faith, particularly through participation in service with an explicit religious connection, individual written reflection, and interaction with community members.