The University of Saint Mary starts their week-long spring break on March 11th. Students will travel to New Orleans, LA and participate in numerous service projects. The trip allows students to give back by helping build houses, working in a community garden, or performing other charitable works. The participants will depart from the University of Saint Mary on March 10th and return to campus late on Saturday night, March 16th.

Spring break is an opportunity for students to take a week to breathe and regroup to finish the end of the semester strong. Some students plan to head home for a week and spend time with family and friends. Others plan to take a quick getaway vacation to refresh themselves. While other students’ also choice to travel, and give back to a community in New Orleans, LA on a service trip.

Students who have traveled on this trip in the past, reflect on the eye-opening service trip. Juan Tirdao who is studying molecular and cell biology at the University of Saint Mary reflects on his trip from spring break 2018, “The mission trip was really inspiring for me and was a great opportunity to know and enjoy God and his work in our society.”

The service trip cost $180, this includes transportation to and from New Orleans, as well as lodging at the House of Charity and all meals during the week of service. Each participant is responsible for meals on the road to and from New Orleans. The House of Charity, managed by the Sisters of Charity Federation in the heart of New Orleans, is where the fellow Spires will be staying all week.

Students gets this opportunity to give back to a new community outside of the local service events happening around campus. This trip allows USM students a chance to serve in a new area like New Orleans, LA.

For more information and questions about the spring break service trip to New Orleans, feel free to contact Jacob Hayden at Jacob.Hayden@stmary.edu.

Melanie Roberts is a Sophomore at the University of Saint Mary studying Digital Communications.