An Exploration of the Impact of Alternative Breaks Programs on Students' Behavioral and Skill Devolopment

Authors

Walter J. Maldonado, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Higher Education

First Advisor's Name

Douglas L. Robertson

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Rebekah Schulze

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Emily Anderson

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Fourth Advisor's Name

James P. Burns

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Keywords

Alternative Breaks, impact, behavioral development, skill development, behavior. skill, service-learning, service, community service, service-based, experiential learning, case study, interviews, surveys, helping others, active citizenship, advocacy, appreciation, sense of belonging, cultural sensitivity, respect, people skills, active listening skills, communication skills, adaptability skills, self-efficacy skills, leadership skills, logistics skills, problem-solving skills

Date of Defense

6-6-2023

Abstract

This case study explored the impact of Alternative Breaks (AB) programs on participants' behavioral and skill development at Florida International University, a public metropolitan research university. The study included qualitative interviews and quantitative pre- and post-survey data to analyze participants' perspectives of their Alternative Breaks experience and how it influenced their behavioral and skill growth. A behavior is a deed or how "a person acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others or in response to a particular situation or stimulus" (The Britannica Dictionary, n.d.). A skill is "a person's capacity to perform a task as a result of education, practice, experience, or training" (The Britannica Dictionary, n.d.). The following two research questions guided the study: (a) What types of behavioral development do FIU students who participate in Alternative Breaks perceive from their participation in the program? and (b) How do FIU students who participate in AB describe the program's influence on the types of skills developed? The researcher linked the study's findings to Kolb's Experiential Learning theory. For Research Question One, four themes emerged: (a) helping others, (b) active citizenship and advocacy, (c) appreciation and sense of belonging, and (d) cultural sensitivity and respect. For Research Question Two, six themes emerged: (a) people skills, (b) active listening and communication skills, (c) adaptability skills, (d) self-efficacy skills, (e) leadership skills, and (f) logistics and problem-solving skills. The outcomes of this study highlight how Alternative Breaks programs impact participants' behavioral and skill development.

Identifier

FIDC011128

Recommended Citation

Maldonado, Walter J., "An Exploration of the Impact of Alternative Breaks Programs on Students' Behavioral and Skill Devolopment" (2023). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5447.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5447