TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama Community Service Center is giving students the opportunity to participate in an Alternative Winter Break in the Costa Rica Rain Forest to take part in a service-learning project Dec. 28-Jan. 6.

While in Costa Rica, students will stay with host families and help them with their daily activities as well as helping with local community service projects.

“Alternative Winter Break is an opportunity for students to do cultural exchange, to be involved in direct hands-on service and to have a meaningful experience that is extremely fun,” says Josh Burford, UA coordinator of Freshman Community Outreach.

The Community Service Center will be working with the Costa Rica Rain Forest and Outward Bound School. Students will have the opportunity to go hiking, white water rafting and rock climbing in the rain forest.

The cost of the trip is $1,700 which includes travel, food, equipment rental, lodging and shuttle to and from the airports. There are nine spots open for students to go on the trip and a scholarship is available from the Alabama Environmental Council.

The CSC also partners with different organizations and places students in volunteer services throughout Tuscaloosa and West Alabama.

For more information, contact Jason Casey, Alternative Winter Break coordinator, at 205/348-2865 or jccasey@bama.ua.edu.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.