The Alternative Break Program had more applications than spots for both the fall and spring trips this year, but interest in the programs has decreased as there are nearly 100 fewer applicants this year.

Last year there were 333 applicants for ASB trips, which decreased to 252 applicants for 209 spots this year, according to Adam Culley, assistant director of the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service.

“I honestly don’t know what caused the decrease in applicants,” Culley said. “It could be the economy, or the early deadline. But the interest is still there and we still have a wait list for applicants.”

C.J. Barnes, the community service coordinator for CSLEPS, is on the planning committee for an Alternative Fall Break trip scheduled to go to Washington, D.C. from Oct. 8th to 11th.

“This was the first year that we had more applications than spots for the fall break trip,” said Barnes.  ”This could partly be because it is the second year we have gone to D.C. and word-of-mouth has spread interest. But students also have more of a desire to serve in bad economic

times.”

Jennifer Leaf, a junior in chemical engineering, has been on an ASB trip to Belize and studied abroad last summer in France.

“Both of these trips were once in a lifetime experiences,” Leaf said. “I would encourage students to go if at all possible because you may not have another chance to see the world from a different point of view.”

Study Abroad doesn’t expect dip in applicants

The Study Abroad Office, after experiencing a slow growth rate in applicants last year, expects increasing numbers of students to apply for its programs.

Study Abroad programs allow students to travel all over the world for a summer, semester or a year.

Ingrid Schmidt, the director of Study Abroad, said she hopes the number of students traveling internationally will continue to increase despite economic conditions.

“N.C. State has not seen the drop in participation in the Study Abroad program that some universities have, although we have not been keeping up our usual pace of growth,” said Schmidt. “From 2008 to 2009, our student involvement increased by 2 percent, but the year before that we had a 20 percent increase.”

Schmidt said she believes last year people were nervous because of the economic downfall, but she does not expect the same slow growth rate in participation this year.

“I have heard many students say that in a down economy, it is all the more important to have an international experience to make yourself competitive,” said Schmidt. “At the Study Abroad Fair on Sept. 17th of this year, we had more than 1,200 people come out, an increase from 600 people last year.”

There are many Study Abroad semester programs that allow students to pay University tuition but attend school overseas, according to LaShawn Cooper, the assistant director of Scholarships and Finanical Aid.

Students who have financial aid at the University can also use it towards their trip.

“There may be deadlines that have to be paid up front, but students can be reimbursed if they qualify for financial aid,” Cooper said. “There are also private loans that any student can apply for.”