I was initially very excited about the trip to Little Rock, but I never imagined that a week spent in Arkansas would completely change my Christmas season. The entire group was absolutely incredible; they are some of the most dedicated and humble people I know at SMU.

We spent every minute together - from working with Habitat and serving the community to preparing meals and hiking at Pinnacle - and yet the group never seemed to become frustrated with one another. There was a definite sense of common purpose, and we truly enjoyed living and working with each other.

It was an incredible experience, and I am thankful to be blessed by such amazing people in my life.

Working with Habitat was fantastic - we learned more about the organization, about the people involved, and about how to better volunteer our time back home.

The timing for the trip could not have been better: Closing a tough semester with service helps us learn about what humbleness means, build lasting friendships, and learn about ourselves.

I never thought I'd have that much of a good time and transformative experience just a few hours from home in Little Rock, Arkansas!

The Alternative Breaks trip was one of my best experiences at SMU. Habitat for Humanity was a great hands-on way to serve, and I had an awesome bonding experience with my team.

I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to step back from the craziness of the holidays and focus on meeting the needs of others!